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THE DEVELOPMENT OF SITUATIONAL SIMULATION
GAME PROGRAMMING
by
Jaturon Jintanawan
A Research Paper
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of theRequirements for the
Master of Science Degree inManagement Technology
Approved: 3 Semester Credits
Thesis Advisor
Kevin McDonald, M.S., Associated Professor
The Graduate CollegeUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout
December 2001
i
The Graduate SchoolUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
ABSTRACT
________________________Jintanawan_________Jaturon________________________(Writer) (Last Name) (First) (Initial)
The Development of Situational Simulation Game Programming____________________(Title)
Management of Technology Kevin McDonald _December 2001___________150_(Graduate Major) (Research Advisor) (Month/Year) (No. of Pages)
American Psychological Association (APA) Publication Manual (Fifth Edition)(Name of Style Manual Used in this Study)
According to Professor Kevin McDonald at UW-STOUT, the students in
introductory-level business classes need a tool to encourage them to understand business
concepts. In satisfying the need of the students, the computer games are recognized as an
possible alternative. However, the computer games available are unsuitable for
elementary level courses; the existing games aim at a high-level of understanding of
business concepts.
This study will develop a computerized game to fulfill the needs of professors and
students in the low-level business courses. The research focuses on adapting the
CATscanner model, the class material, to be a main part in the game, using the computer
technique. The simulation feature is included as a characteristic of the game. The
objectives of the game are to develop a tool in which the user can examine business
experiences and the idea of “cross functional area in the organization”. The instructor will
ii
use the game to create the series of situations which demonstrate the business lessons in
the class.
The development of the simulation game is dependent upon the software
engineering technique. Two sections are devoted to this development; one is targeted to
an instructor, and the other is for a student. The result of the research includes the
software package with installation files, source code, and game documentation.
iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This thesis is a part of my graduated education, which I dedicate to Department of
Management Technology at University of Wisconsin-Stout. I hope this study will assist
the business education.
I would like to begin by thanking my thesis advisor, Professor Kevin McDonald
from the Business Department, who inspired me for the thesis topic. I would like to thank
Dr. Thomas A. Lacksonen, my program director who suggested me about guidance and
technical problems. I would also like to thank Brian at Multicultural Department for
proofing my paper.
I would like to thank the people who have developed the simulation games who
gave me the direction of doing this thesis. I would like to thank people who developed
and implemented the computer technology.
I would specially like to thank to my parents who have been supporting me all the
time. I would like to thank all my friends who encourage and assist me to finish the
research, specially for Poy and Pooh.
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Table of Contents
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SITUATIONAL SIMULATION .......................................... iABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... iACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................iiiTable of Contents........................................................................................................... ivList of Figures................................................................................................................ viList of Tables ................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER 1................................................................................................................... 1Overview .................................................................................................................... 1Need for the Study ...................................................................................................... 4Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................ 4Research Objectives .................................................................................................... 5Limitations.................................................................................................................. 5Definition of Terms..................................................................................................... 7
CHAPTER 2................................................................................................................. 14History of the Simulation Game ................................................................................ 14Existing Games in the Market ................................................................................... 15
SimCity................................................................................................................. 15Profitania Deluxe................................................................................................... 16The Business Strategy ........................................................................................... 17The Restaurant Game ............................................................................................ 19Conclusion of games reviewed .............................................................................. 23
Complexity of Simulation Game ............................................................................... 23Other Views of Simulation Game.............................................................................. 26
CHAPTER 3................................................................................................................. 28Game Concept........................................................................................................... 28Development of the Simulation Game ....................................................................... 30
Analysis ................................................................................................................ 30Design................................................................................................................... 31Software Requirement ........................................................................................... 33
Game Validity........................................................................................................... 33CHAPTER 4................................................................................................................. 34RESULTS AND FINDINGS......................................................................................... 34
Outlook of Game....................................................................................................... 34Graphical Interface of Simulation Game................................................................ 35Graphical Interface of Instructor Model................................................................. 41
Running Simulation Game ........................................................................................ 47Running Restaurant Simulation ............................................................................. 47
Main Modules ................................................................................................... 48Restaurant Simulation........................................................................................ 49Restaurant Operation Monthly Report................................................................ 54Business Situation and Alternatives ................................................................... 54
Running Situational Simulation ............................................................................. 56Simulation Study Case .............................................................................................. 58
v
Beginning Simulation............................................................................................ 59Situations at the End of the First Month................................................................. 62Comparing results of running simulation ............................................................... 67
CHAPTER 5................................................................................................................. 71Conclusions............................................................................................................... 71Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 72Recommendations for Future Research ..................................................................... 73
REFERENCE ............................................................................................................... 75APPENDEX ................................................................................................................. 78
A. Analysis and Design: Section 1: Simulation Game................................................ 78Data Flow Diagram ............................................................................................... 78Structure Chart and Codes ..................................................................................... 78
Situation Simulation Modules............................................................................ 79Report Process Structure Chart .......................................................................... 83Report Process Modules .................................................................................... 84Situational Simulation Process........................................................................... 85Situational Simulation Modules ......................................................................... 85
Graphic User Interfaces......................................................................................... 88Main Window.................................................................................................... 88Monitoring Factors Window.............................................................................. 97Report statements ............................................................................................ 111Situational Decision Window .......................................................................... 121
B. Analysis and Design Section 2: Situation Simulation .......................................... 124Structure Chart and Codes ................................................................................... 124
Situation Simulation: Data Flow Diagram........................................................ 124Situation Simulation Modules.......................................................................... 124
Graphic User Interfaces....................................................................................... 129Situational Series Window............................................................................... 129Situational Factor Window .............................................................................. 137Situational Expense Window ........................................................................... 140
C. Database Analysis............................................................................................... 143Database Object .................................................................................................. 143Database Tables’ Structure .................................................................................. 143Database Relationship ......................................................................................... 145
D. User Manual. ...................................................................................................... 147Student Manual ................................................................................................... 147Instructor Manual ................................................................................................ 148
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List of Figures
Number Figure Name Page
1 Figure 3.1. Game Concept Diagram......................................................................... 292 Figure 4.1. CATscanner screen................................................................................ 373 Figure 4.2. Monitoring Factor screen. ...................................................................... 384 Figure 4.3. Monthly Report screen........................................................................... 405 Figure 4.4. Situational Decision screen. ................................................................... 416 Figure 4.5. Main Menu screen. ................................................................................ 427 Figure 4.6 Control Situation screen.......................................................................... 458 Figure 4.7. Insert Factor screen................................................................................ 469 Figure 4.8. Update Expense screen. ......................................................................... 4710 Figure 4.9. The Simulation Game Process. .............................................................. 4711 Figure 4.10. Database Class Object. ........................................................................ 4812 Figure 4.12. Case Study Process. ............................................................................. 5813 Figure A.1 Data Flow Diagram................................................................................ 7814 Figure A.2. A Restaurant Process; Business Simulation Structure Chart .................. 7915 Figure A.3. Report Process Structure Chart ............................................................. 8316 Figure A.4 Situation Simulation Process.................................................................. 8517 Figure A.5 CATscanner Model................................................................................ 9718 Figure A.6. Monitoring Factor Window................................................................. 11019 Figure A.7. Statements Report Window................................................................. 12120 Figure A.8. Situation Window............................................................................... 12321 Figure A.9. Situation Simulation Data Flow Diagram............................................ 12422 Figure A.10. Situation Series Window................................................................... 13623 Figure A.11. Situation Factor Window .................................................................. 13924 Figure A.12. Situation Expense Window ............................................................... 141
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List of Tables
Number Table Name Page
1 Table 4.1. Situation Factor....................................................................................... 592 Table 4.2. 1st Month Business Report. ..................................................................... 613 Table 4.3. Factor Impact Case 1............................................................................... 624 Table 4.4. Report of Alternative1 in 2nd Month........................................................ 635 Table 4.5. Factor Impact Case 2............................................................................... 646 Table 4.6. Report of Alternative 2 in 2nd Month...................................................... 647 Table 4.7. Factor Impact Case 3 .............................................................................. 658 Table 4.8. Report of Alternative 3 in 2nd Month...................................................... 659 Table 4.9. Report of Alternative 4 in 2nd Month...................................................... 6610 Table 4.10. Comparing Factors’ Alternatives........................................................... 6711 Table A.1 Situation Simulation Modules ................................................................ 7912 Table A.2 Report Process Modules.......................................................................... 8413 Table A.3 Situational Simulation Modules .............................................................. 8514 Table A.4 Main Window ......................................................................................... 8815 Table A.5. Object Script with Properties.................................................................. 8816 Table A.6 . Monitoring Factors Window ................................................................. 9717 Table A.7 Object Script and properties .................................................................... 9818 Table A.8 Report statements.................................................................................. 11119 Table A.9 Object script and properties................................................................... 11120 Table A.10 Situational Decision Window.............................................................. 12121 Table A.11 Object Script and Properties ................................................................ 12222 Table A.12 Situation Simulation Modules ............................................................. 12423 Table A.13 Situational Series Window .................................................................. 12924 Table A.14.Object Script and properties ................................................................ 13025 Table A.15 Situational Factor Window.................................................................. 13726 Table A. 16. Object Script and properties .............................................................. 13827 Table A.17 Situational Expense Window............................................................... 14028 Table A.18. Object Script and properties ............................................................... 14029 Table A.19. SQL Command in The Data Object .................................................... 14330 Table A.20. The Structure of CurrentFactor........................................................... 14331 Table A.21. The Structure of Situation .................................................................. 14332 Table A.22 The Structure of Expense .................................................................... 14433 Table A.23 The Structure of Situation Factors ....................................................... 14434 Table A.24 The Structure of ExpenseBase............................................................. 14435 Table A.25 The Structure of CurrentExpense ........................................................ 14436 Table A.26 Database Relationship ......................................................................... 14537 Table A.27 Instructor Manual................................................................................ 14738 Table A.28 Instructor Manual................................................................................ 148
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
This is an introduction to the study and the problem under investigation. This
chapter is comprised of six sections as follows: (1) overview, (2) need for the study,
(3) statement of the problem, (4) research objectives, (5) limitations, and (6) definition of
terms.
Overview
Technology has been playing an imperative role in helping education. Some
techniques have been used to increase the students’ skills, and among these techniques, a
simulation game is really popular. “Games and simulations … enable organizations to
envision alternative futures within a condensed time frame, and help them get a holistic
view of the change journey and its results. The comprehension of the totality of problems
and opportunities awaiting them in the future (although at the higher level of abstraction)
helps them build cognitive bridges to that future. The result is not only an increased
awareness of the future marketplace, but an increased ability to deal with complexity and
uncertainty in general”(Ivo and Don, 1999, Games and Simulations and the Big Picture
section).
In the business classroom, the simulation game technique has been popularly used
to facilitate learning. The game usually simulates real case situations to giving students
business experience from those situations. In many cases, a teacher would use the game
for a class’s material rather than lecture in a traditional way. Their objective is to
facilitate learning the complicated subjects. Nevertheless, the simulation games are used
2
in different levels business education. Many of the simulation games are developed to be
used in the high level education. In this point, most of the business simulation games in
the market are really complex. This means that the players or students are required to
know some business knowledge. The direction of the game development focuses on
various business functions, from making investments to strategic planning. The results of
the modern game may be too difficult for the elementary level business course.
A principle concept of business has been elucidated by the business model at
www.catscanner.comand used for business classes at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
“It is fundamental to your understanding of the major business components, and to your
understanding of the dynamic and exciting interaction between these components”
(Kevin McDonald, Understanding Business Course Outline). The model depicts the
various functional areas in an organization as internal environments; finance, information
systems, accounting, management, research & development, service, marketing,
production materials management, human resources, and strategy. The external business
environment consists of customers, competitors in the industry, and the extraneous
business conditions: production inputs, economic conditions, technological conditions,
political conditions, legal conditions, social/cultural conditions. The external environment
cannot be controlled by the company but can be scanned and monitored to anticipate
resulting the positive and negative impacts. The concept of “cross functional area” is
represented as a relationship between the internal functional areas of a business and a
relationship between the organization and the external business environment; events that
happen in the external environment will in some way impact the internal environment of
the organization, For every action there is a reaction; for every stimulus there is a
3
response and for every cause there is an effect. Proactively scanning the external business
environment is recommended in an effort to identify changing business events that can
either negatively or positively impact the organization. Anticipating the negative or
positive impacts of the changing external business environment consider is a factors to be
successful in the business.
The main goal of a business, seeking the maximum profit by providing goods and
services, depends on internal and external environments. The actions of unknown and
unpredictable situations from inside and outside the company represent the idea of cross
functional area. For this principle, it is crucial that the manager practices dealing with
potential situation to find their alternatives and either limit the negative impacts or take
advantage of the positive consequences.
Using the technique of simulation game is really difficult for this fundamental
implication. To develop an appropriate application, a specific business needs to be
formed from simple processes yet must demand an adequate performance of student
ability. The CATscanner will be appropriately applied to the simulation game
representing the fundamental of business level. Using a single situation or case matching
to only the best alternative is the best way of the game style, however, critical features
have to be enclosed in the application. While the application declares business functions
and ordinary rules, it must show the concepts and core working of an enterprise. Active
learning, from situation to solution, must aim at the principle concept in the model.
4
Need for the Study
Professors of business administration have generally been slow to incorporate
business gaming simulations in their teaching and research (Wolfe, 1994), but the basic
discovery phase of business gaming has not ended as argued by Thavikulwat (1999).
Nevertheless, the simulations being used are not that much different from those created in
the late 1950s. Although computerized business gaming simulations may enhance
business education, as the studies reviewed by Keys and Wolfe (1990) show, the
enhancement comes consistently at a high cost in students' time.
Even though business classes at UW-STOUT have referred to the CATscanner
model as a important principle of business, it is still a static tool for the students, meaning
that the students must learn the model without interacting with the CATscanner model’s
graphic. According to Professor Kevin McDonald (personal communication, 2001), the
students need some tools for understanding the elementary level business concepts in the
class. The CATscanner model will powerfully facilitate the need of the student and
instructor in the business class if it can be developed to be a dynamic tool, meaning that
student can use it interactively.
Statement of the Problem
Because of the complexity of current business simulation games, there is no
application software which fulfills the need of a fundamental online business class in the
market. All existed applications confuse the students with many decisions, making it
difficult to understand for somebody who does not have knowledge of business. The
5
simulation games in the market may not directly satisfy the need of students in
understanding fundamental business idea.
Research Objectives
The objectives for this study are:
1. To create a situational and simulation game and application software, for a
fundamental online business class.
2. To create an application to depict the general ideas of operation and
perception of a business, including the concept of “cross functional area in
an organization,” that address the internal and external factors around the
business environment.
3. To facilitate hand-on experience of several situations in the business world
for the business student.
4. To apply this simulation game to teach students about the case situations
in business.
5. To simplify the instruction for people who lack of a business background.
On the other hand, they can practice in the common and uniform manner
of a business owner.
Limitations
The following are the limitations which have been identified with reference to
this study:
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1. Since the business simulation game is a restaurant, the knowledge and
practical skills that a player gains may not apply to other types of business,
especially an organization which needs cooperation and teamwork, in
order, to make a decision, for this game depends on only one player.
2. The application of this simulation game is limited to a decision based on
short-term goals, since a monthly situation ends and does not continue at
the following month. In fact, several business situations or crises in the real
world will carry on and be considered as other factors that affect the
business operator’s future decisions.
3. The ultimate goal of this simulation game is set, which is to gain as high a
profit as possible. It may not be applied to some real business situations
such as launching a new product.
4. This application can be executed only if a player downloads the program in
a computer that has Visual Basic Software.
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Definition of Terms
For clarity and understanding, the following definitions of key words have been
included:
Algorithm. A prescribed set of well defined, unambiguous rules or processes for
the solution of a problem in a finite number of steps; for example, a full statement
of arithmetic procedure for evaluating cosine x to stated precision. Contrast with
heuristic
Application program.A program that helps the user accomplish a specific task;
for example, a word processing program, a spreadsheet program, or an FTP client.
Application programs should be distinguished from system programs, which
control the computer and run those application programs, and utilities, which are
small assistance programs.
Argument.A value that is passed to a program, subroutine, procedure, or function
by the calling program; one of the independent variables that determine the output
Database.The collection of all data used and produced by a computer program. In
large systems, data base analysis is usually concerned with large quantities of data
stored in disk and tape files. Smaller microcomputer systems are more frequently
concerned with data base allocations of available memory locations between the
program and data storage areas. Also called data bank.
8
Data Flow Diagram.Distinct pieces of information, usually formatted in a special
way. All software is divided into two general categories:dataandprograms.
Programs are collections of instructions for manipulating data.
Data can exist in a variety of forms -- as numbers or text on pieces of paper, as
bits and bytes stored in electronic memory, or as facts stored in a person's mind.
Strictly speaking, data is the plural ofdatum, a single piece of information. In
practice, however, people usedataas both the singular and plural form of the
word.
Front-end applications.The programs that translate source code into object code,
are often composed of two parts: afront endand aback end.The front end is
responsible for checking syntax and detecting errors, whereas the back end
performs the actual translation into object code.
Graphic user interface. “A program interface that takes advantage of the
computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. Well-designed
graphical user interfaces can free the user from learning complex command
languages. On the other hand, many users find that they work more effectively
with a command-driven interface, especially if they already know the command
language.
Graphical user interfaces, such as Microsoft Windows and the one used by the
Apple Macintosh, feature the following basic components:
9
Pointer. A symbol that appears on the display screen and that you move to select
objects and commands. Usually, the pointer appears as a small angled arrow. Text
-processing applications, however, use an I-beam pointer that is shaped like a
capital I.
Pointing device. A device, such as a mouse or trackball, that enables you to select
objects on the display screen.
Icons. Small pictures that represent commands, files, or windows. By moving the
pointer to the icon and pressing a mouse button, you can execute a command or
convert the icon into a window. You can also move the icons around the display
screen as if they were real objects on your desk.
Desktop. The area on the display screen where icons are grouped is often referred
to as the desktop because the icons are intended to represent real objects on a real
desktop.
Windows. You can divide the screen into different areas. In each window, you
can run a different program or display a different file. You can move windows
around the display screen, and change their shape and size at will.
Menus. Most graphical user interfaces let you execute commands by selecting a
choice from a menu.
The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation's Palo Alto
Research Center in the 1970s, but it was not until the 1980s and the emergence of
the Apple Macintosh that graphical user interfaces became popular. One reason
for their slow acceptance was the fact that they require considerable CPU power
and a high-quality monitor, which until recently were prohibitively expensive.
10
In addition to their visual components, graphical user interfaces also make it
easier to move data from one application to another. A true GUI includes standard
formats for representing text and graphics. Because the formats are well-defined,
different programs that run under a common GUI can share data. This makes it
possible, for example, to copy a graph created by a spreadsheet program into a
document created by a word processor.
Many DOS programs include some features of GUIs, such as menus, but are not
graphics based. Such interfaces are sometimes called graphical character-based
user interfaces to distinguish them from true GUIs” (Webopedia, 2001, searching
page)
Module. a part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more
independently developed modules that are not combined until the program is
linked. A single module can contain one or several routines.
Object Oriented.“A popular buzzword that can mean different things depending
on how it is being used. Object-oriented programming (OOP) refers to a special
type of programming that combines data structures with functions to create re-
usable objects (see under object-oriented programming). Object-oriented graphics
is the same as vector graphics.
Otherwise, the term object-oriented is generally used to describe a system that
deals primarily with different types of objects, and where the actions you can take
depend on what type of object you are manipulating. For example an object-
oriented draw program” might enable you to draw many types of objects, such as
11
circles, rectangles, triangles, etc. Applying the same action to each of these
objects, however, would produce different results. If the action is Make 3D, for
instance, the result would be a sphere, box, and pyramid, respectively.
(Webopedia, 2001, searching page).
Pseudocode.An outline of a program, written in a form that can easily be
converted into real programming statements. For example, the pseudocode for a
bubble sort routine might be written: while not at end of list compare adjacent
elements if second is greater than first switch them get next two elements if
elements were switched repeat for entire list Pseudocode cannot be compiled nor
executed, and there are no real formatting or syntax rules. It is simply one step -
an important one - in producing the final code. The benefit of pseudocode is that it
enables the programmer to concentrate on the algorithms without worrying about
all the syntactic details of a particular programming language. In fact, you can
write pseudocode without even knowing what programming language you will use
for the final implementation.
One-to-many Relationship.A type of data modeling represents the relation
between two entities or things. One entities has many relationship to the other. For
example, a mother has many children.
12
Recordset Object.A object technique represents the entire set of records from a
base table or the results of an executed command. At any time, the Recordset
object refers to only a single record within the set as the current record.
Simulation.“Creating a mathematical model of a real system, to see how the
system works and, by changing variables, make predictions about how the system
will change.For example, a mathematical simulation of an insect population and
its habitat could include such variables as available food supply, natural predators,
and rainfall. Changing one of the variables in the simulation would show how the
population is affected when that variable changes in the real system. See also real-
time simulation”( Hi-tech dictionary, 2001 )i.
SQL command.Structured Query Language (pronounced SQL or Sequel).A
language used to create, maintain, and query relational databases. It is an ISO and
ANSI standard. SQL uses regular English words for many of its commands, which
makes it easy to use. It is often embedded within other programming languages.
Structure chart.Structure Chart is software diagram tool that show hierarchical
arrangement of the modules in a structured program. It contains rectangular box
and arrow symbol. The rectangular represent one module. The name of a module
is written inside the box. An arrow joins two modules that have invocation
relation.
13
Visual Basic.The defending of Visual Basic in Microsoft website (2001) gives
the idea of "Visual" part that refers to the method used to create the graphical user
interface (GUI). Rather than writing numerous lines of code to describe the
appearance and location of interface elements, the developer simply add pre built
objects into place on screen. If you've ever used a drawing program such as Paint,
you already have most of the skills necessary to create an effective user interface.
The "Basic" part refers to the BASIC (Beginners All-Purpose Symbolic
Instruction Code) language, a language used by more programmers than any other
language in the history of computing. Visual Basic has evolved from the original
BASIC language and now contains several hundred statements, functions, and
keywords, many of which relate directly to the Windows GUI. Beginners can
create useful applications by learning just a few of the keywords, yet the power of
the language allows professionals to accomplish anything that can be
accomplished using any other Windows programming language.
Data access features allow you to create databases, front-end applications, and
scalable server-side components for most popular database formats, including
Microsoft SQL Server and other enterprise-level databases.
Internet capabilities make it easy to provide access to documents and applications
across the Internet or intranet from within your application, or to create Internet
server applications.
Your finished application is a true .exe file that uses a Visual Basic Virtual
Machine that you can freely distribute.
14
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
This chapter provides a theoretical base for the problems and the relevant
surrounding issues and concerns associated with the study. Included in this chapter are:
(1) history of the simulation game, (2) existing games in the market, (3) complexity of
simulation game, and (4) other views of simulation games.
History of the Simulation Game
The first business simulation game has been traced back to use in China around
5,000 year ago (Wolfe and Crookall, 1998). However, the new age of business simulation
just started around the nineteen the century. The game, Monopolog, was created to
simulate the Air Force supply system for inventory managers for inventory managers
(Jackson, 1959). The American Management Association (AMA) later on developed the
well-known business game, Top Management Decision Simulation, used in management
seminars and administered by the AMA (Meier, Newell, and Pazer, 1969). It was from
material used in the business class at the University of Washington in 1957 (Watson,
1981). From this point, the number of business simulation games expanded rapidly. The
estimated number, over 100 business games, have been referred to and played by
business executives (Kibbee, Craft, and Nanus, 1961), and business schools have used
simulation games in their training programs. While Burgess (1991) has reported on
business simulation game usage in the Untied Kingdom, McKenna (1991) conducted
15
research on business usage in Australia. Subsequently, Chang (1997) observed the used
of simulation games in Hong Kong.
According to Faria (1998), business simulation has been known for 40 years and
it has been grown at an exceeding rate. The term “cutting-edge teaching” was introduced
by Wolfe (1993).
Existing Games in the Market
The following reviewed simulation games that have been posted and published. It
describes the game’s features and details for player.
SimCity
The popular game “SimCity” gives attention to developing and managing a
budding city. The player can monitor the details of the city block-by-block and can
employ other features to utilize the window’s power to display real-time information
(Paul, 1993).
The player starts a game as the mayor of a city. The level of difficulty, which
essentially provides you with more start up cash, is chosen. The player is assigned to
create and run a simulated city. The game is very detailed in the responsibilities
necessary for of overseeing and running an entire city. There is tremendous educational
value in having to manage the various aspects of providing for the needs and desires of a
community. Players, as the mayor, are responsible for details from trash disposal to land
development to addressing the concerns of regulatory agencies and petitioners. There is a
lot of micro management that, in real life, would be handled by section heads. For
example, put roads too far apart, and Sims (the residents of your city) won’t walk to
16
work. Don't build enough playgrounds, and families will move out, causing your
residential areas to run down and taxes to dry up. All the real life problems you hear
about in the news can and will happen to your town (Rick, 2000).
Profitania Deluxe
“Profitania Deluxe,” the third and final trilogy installment from LavaMind is
advertised as an educational title or a business simulation. Granted, it educates about
supply and demand, and general business concepts by running one’s own manufacturing
facility, but it was created as an entertainment title. Imagine a game similar to Monopoly
(TM) but much zanier and without the limited of a board. It is designed accumulated up
to 6 human players on the same computer. The computer will play any factories not
manned, so there is always six manufacturing sites in competition. The game has a level
of difficulty that can be adjusted for how "good of a player" the computer is for each
competitor. Everyone is in a race to achieve 1 million gems (local currency) and to be
recognized as Profitania's Industrialist Extraordinaire.
The game’s story starts with a subterranean civilization powered by magma pools.
In a growing economic era, the player is assigned to construct a factory that is surrounded
by a diverse community. It can benefit the player’s factory get benefit. The player has the
ability to manage before the commodity will change with operates in “real-time.” The
game gives the player an idea of business and math as each game turn is equal to one
week in game time.
The factory needs materials to work with, and the source for these is goods
exchange. The "real-time" aspects of this game are the fluctuations in price, quantity, and
quality of the commodities when the players are trying to buy.
17
The required materials depend on your factory knowledge and your factory’s
products. Using the R&D Department is a good strategy for a player. A player can
operate what the scientists are working on. The trick is not to research something that
several other factories know how to make they probably already have products on the
market. Instead, the factory should stay on the culture of innovation; bearing in mind that
a more complex a product takes longer to research. In addition, there are levels to product
development. The player will not able to research a level 3 product until having
researched a couple at level 2. A product’s description is shown in the following detail:
what materials are required to produce it, estimated market price, product size to
calculate the space it will take up in the warehouse and factory resources involved in
producing it. It is safe to say that a factory that does not invest in research will have a
difficult time winning the game (Michael Gonsalves, 2000).
The Business Strategy
Snyder (1996) found the following:
“Game the Business Strategy game (BSG) is third version regarding toWolfe's (1994) review in Simulation & GamingThe BSG is an international total enterprise game, with separate markets forNorth America, Europe, and Asia. Student teams compete in four footwearmarkets: three branded geographic markets of North America (plants inOhio and Texas), Europe and Asia, and a private-label market in NorthAmerica. Game administrators have the ability to process yearly decisionsfor four to sixteen teams of students in a fictitious industry. The thirdedition of Thompson and Stappenbeck's popular game offers subtle changesfor the players and substantial changes for game administrators.The BSG competes in the arena of total enterprise simulations with otherremarkable titles, such as The Business Policy Game (Cotter & Fritsche,1995); Intopia (Thorelli, Graves, & Lopez, 1995); Strategy (Priesmeyer,1993); Corporation (Smith & Golden, 1994); CEO (Thavikulwat, 1991);and Micromatic (Scott, Strickland, Hofmeister, & Thompson, 1992), toname a few. The popularity of the BSG is its positioning alongside the mostpopular strategy text, Thompson and Strickland's Strategic Management:Concepts and Cases (1996).
18
The third edition of the BSG possesses a wide array of changes andenhancements. One such revision is the depiction of markets. Versions oneand two of the BSG modeled one quality level for the four marketsavailable for selling products (three branded areas of North America, Asia,and Europe, and the private-label market in North America). Version threeallows teams to differentiate by offering different quality levels in each ofthe markets. In addition, teams can vary the number of models (e.g., productline breadth) in each of the markets. The intent of the developers was toallow a more varied strategy for game players by using the same variables,but splitting them up by market segment.The developers enhanced game play by including more powerful "what-ifs."These what-if projections appear at the bottom of the screen and change asdata is placed in the various screens of decision inputs (e.g., labor,production, shipping, marketing, finance). Feedback is automaticallyupdated on the bottom of the screen, which helps to avoid the time-consuming process of viewing separate what-if screens. Projections areprovided on revenues, net income, earnings per share, return on equity, andcash balance. The decision support system also provides feedback on thenumber of workers needed for a given level of production, based onproductivity levels, and other what-ifs pertinent to the submenu a playerhappens to be in. Error trapping has been expanded so that the program willnot accept any decision entry that falls outside the valid range or is of thewrong type.Thompson and Stappenbeck took a philosophical stance on the use ofdecision support systems in total enterprise simulations. Their contentionwas that users of the simulation should receive any information they couldpossibly want. However, it is up to the user to assess the informationprovided and use it in decision making. For this reason, the BSG is repletewith screenfuls of pertinent information concerning competitors and what-ifs.Competitor analysis has been enhanced by including a separate companyanalysis disk with the program. Teams are provided a submenu thatprepares either industry or specific company competitor analysis reports.These reports facilitate both industry and focused analyses of thecompetition. Teams have the ability to print a chosen year's industryanalysis or a year-by-year analysis of the decisions from one of thecompetitors. The reports provide information from the footwear industryreport (FIR), arranged into formats suitable for easy diagnosis of competitorstrategies.The developers have changed the visual feel of the game by making thedecision entry screens easier to read, with less clutter. The menu bar at thetop of the screen has been redesigned for speedy access to submenus. Thelevels of menus are easy to follow and intuitive. Perhaps the most valuablechange is the graphical user interface (GUI) addition of a mouse. Screenscan be passed over, or specific fields for inputs found, by pointing andclicking the mouse. Users may still find themselves using the escape key
19
and the arrow keys required in previous editions to move around, but oncethey catch on to the abilities of the mouse, the keyboard becomessecondary.The crash-proofing ability of the latest version of the BSG is impressive.Administrators were previously limited to rerunning only the latest year incase of industry problems. Version three has the ability to rerun any year. Incase team disks become corrupted, the recreate option from the operationsmenu provides improved flexibility to restore the lost information. Anundocumented addition to the new version is a data editor that enablesadministrators to change individual information stored about the industry orthe companies. A warning is presented when entering this submenu(accessed by hitting the F6 key), indicating that changes to the individualfiles used for running the game may cause irretrievable losses of data. Inprevious versions of the game, erroneous data could only be corrected byloading specific spreadsheets into Lotus 1-2-3 and then calling the gamedeveloper to find out what information was held in the various, number-cluttered fields.A rarity in running total enterprise simulations is finding help whenproblems are encountered. Two outlets are available in times of distresswhile running the BSG: one by contacting the publisher's representative andthe second by contacting the developer. Both avenues will provide friendlyand concise help. Most game-oriented questions posed by teams can beanswered by referring to the 91-page player's manual.The third edition of the BSG is a welcomed addition to the existing array oftotal enterprise simulations. Its development follows the trend towardproviding GUI for players and administrators alike. By using menus andeye-appealing features, future simulations can further enhance thecomplexity/ realism dimension without sacrificing understanding. Expectfuture editions of such games to include hypergraphics and more powerfulbuilt-in graphing features.”
The Restaurant Game
The restaurant game is developed as a single-period simulation that provides
students with the opportunity to plan and implement a strategy in a competitive
environment. The players bid for raw materials. This auction results in players' making
calculated changes to planned strategies in response to conditions created by the auction.
After the players have obtained their necessary raw materials, they create meal menus
that are the source of company profits. The integer programming is generated, and the
20
instructor can teach how numerical modeling leads to optimal solutions. The restaurant
game provides a rich environment that can be explored in a single period or multiple
periods according to the instructor's goals (Brozik and Zapalska, 2000).
The game begins by distributing the instruction sheet that provides students with
the information they need to plan an overall strategy. Because the winner of the game
needs only, the greatest profit, there are many ways to approach the market. Players have
some choices in offering low, medium, high, or a combination of priced meals. These
choices will direct strategies of both a narrow and a broad market segment.
The interactions of the players in the auction will establish each menu's relative
profitability and randomly drive the strategy for each player. The players need to be
aware of the changing environment and to possibly adapt their strategies to meet evolving
market conditions.
Competition is important aspect of the game. The mini monopolies situation may
be built in with too few players. On the other hand, with too many players, there is
insufficient time to auction off enough goods so all players can form complete menus.
Following are environments that needs to be concerned with:
1. The optimal number of players.
2. The inventory with the planned menu offerings.
3. Money balance.
4 Competitors’ bidders in the market and the prices offered.
5. Actually doing the bidding.
The teams’ auction allows student to focus on a single event of process in a
dynamic environment. Each bid sheet shows to the instructor the items listed in the
21
menus and materials required to make them. The bid runs continuously until the
companies run out of money, and the bid sheet will give the number of raw materials
available in the market. Once the auction begins, it is possible to achieve this rate without
difficulty. The speed at which the auction runs is one of the more important factors in the
game. It is the responsibility of the instructor to conduct the auction at a brisk pace.
Toward the end of the auction, it is possible that some players will have exhausted their
budgets. This could result in a single bidder buying large quantities of goods at extremely
low prices. In this situation, the auctioneer can set a minimum bid of $50 or $100 per lot
of goods to prevent excessive profiteering.
Once the auction is over, the players are given time to create complete meals with
the raw materials they have available. No partial menus are allowed. Because each of the
raw materials is used in each menu, it is possible to create many different combinations
of menus, each with its own unique level of profitability.
The program is simple enough that the integer programming is not necessary to
require that students use such mathematical techniques. Students are usually able to
create a set of menus that are close to the optimal solution. After the players have
calculated their portion of raw materials and the profit they would make by selling the
meals, a winner can be selected. It is also possible to classify if the optimal mix of
outputs for each player is found. This can be done fairly easily with a PC computer and a
spreadsheet application. Most spreadsheets include a linear programming module with
the option for integer outputs. This will help the class to use and practice power of
mathematical programming in real-life applications.
22
The author said, “It may seem surprising, but players often achieve the optimal
solution. This is not due to any particular mathematical expertise on the part of the
students, however. The players often try to stick to their initial strategy and buy only
certain quantities of the raw materials. There is one solution and no waste in this case.
The instructor may choose to enrich the allocation experience by awarding each group an
additional lot of each of the raw materials, an extra lot of vegetables, an extra lot of meat,
and so on. This often will have the effect of changing the optimal solution and requiring
students to consider different allocation strategies” (p413). When the class finds the
optimal solution, the teacher can demonstrate integer programming. Therefore, the
instructor can use the game to set up the following lecture.
After the game is done, a debriefing can review and conclude the games. There
are three majors lessons: the auction, strategic and tactical planning, and the allocation
process. The teacher may determine if the game will take over one lecture period to
complete or not.
For inexperienced students, the game examines the nature of a competitive market
environment. The market is characterized by the dynamic interaction of participants, and
the students must learn to interpret information that relates to the market. Occasionally,
the competitive attitude might develop suboptimal performances due to team's trying to
"beat" another by outbidding for a needed commodity. For example, “a team that tries to
get all its raw materials early in the auction will often overpay because the market prices
have not yet been established. Teams that “sit back and watch” for a few bids have a
better idea of the fair price of the raw material and make more reasoned bids and higher
profits. This demonstrates that those firms that choose to be industry leaders may not
23
perform as well as firms that choose to enter an established market”( Brozik and
Zapalska, 2000, p 417)
Students learn to change their initial strategic plan because of the dynamic nature
of the market. If they recognize the opportunity, they can change their strategy to offer
high-priced meals and obtain the additional needed raw materials at low prices. This
shows a dynamic and adaptive market strategy.
The optimal solution guides students to understand how mathematical techniques
can be used in a business environment. An instructor can also illustrate the sensitivity of
optimally mixing the inputs, and students can be shown that seemingly minor changes in
a mix of inputs can significantly alter the optimal mix of outputs.
Conclusion of games reviewed
These games reviewed give an overview of the simulation game market
evaluating both the commercial and educational sectors. Instructors usually prefer to
facilitate and use real case situations in their class rather than lecture. Although
simulation games are vastly used in the classroom, some researches and articles have
pointed out the inherent problems of simulation gaming.
Complexity of Simulation Game
The game’s complexity designated the optimum team size for playing. It
confirmed that students did not truly understand each other in their group about
performing the decisions. Some professors found it was crucial to allow geographical
location of team members to be an overriding power when working with part-time MBA
students, primarily to facilitate meetings. With e-mail and fax availability, they had found
24
that to be unnecessary (Gentry, 1980; Lucas, 1979; Wolfe and Chacko, 1983). Another
point relating to term is cohesiveness versus team conflict. Gentry (1980) concluded that
larger teams experienced higher levels of conflict.
Rollier (1992) concluded that the small portion of time advances was optimal in
total enterprise simulation over entire duration. Time could be fixed or flexibly scaled,
synchronized or unsynchronized among participants, and driven either by the
administrator, the participants, the clock, or the level of activity. Flexible scaling allows
participants to select the length of successively shackled periods or to independently
complete specific decision rules that are effective over any interval. Synchronization
affects interrelationship among participants. Gaming simulations with independent
decision making by participants are typically unsynchronized. On the other hand,
dependent decisions made by participants, are typically synchronized.
The participant with more experience may have a competitive advantage--the
reality of business. An administrator-driven simulation inconveniently requires the
administrator to gather and run participants' decisions, leaving to the simulating program
the simple task of assimilating interdependent decisions. According to the administrator-
driven simulation, the programmer must code complex routines that enable the simulating
program to manage multiple real-time runs on networked computers, or participants must
be restricted to running the simulation on a single designated computer. A clock-driven
simulation advances time in concert with the computer's internal clock. An activity-
driven simulation captures the advantages of the clock-driven simulation without that
design's inherent inadaptability. In theory, an activity-driven simulation advances time
when participants are active. It pauses during breaks because they are intervals without
25
activity. An activity-driven design, however, is difficult to program and not easily
understood (Thavikulwat, 1996).
Simple functions that plausibly model complex phenomena are convenient. As
Wolfe and Jackson (1989) have observed, learning does not increase monotonically with
the simulation's complication. If learning increased with usage, and usage increased with
convenience, convenience might be the most significant factor. Easy administration
depends on the design of the gaming simulation, the adequacy of the computer software,
and the availability of suitable hardware.
The complexities can be flexible. By design, the instructor is permitted to set the
pace, the complexity, and even the pedagogical focus of the gaming simulation
(Thavikulwat, 1988).
From one viewpoint, Stanislaw (1986) concluded that a simulation attempts to
duplicate the activities of a real-world system with a computer program. From this
viewpoint, reality is the ideal; a simulation that duplicates reality with more reliability is
better than one that duplicates reality with less reliability. Thus complex simulations are
favored, for they better mirror the complexity of reality (Thavikulwat, 1991).
Because of the complexity’s contribution to learning effectiveness, it has been
interested (Butler, Pray, & Strang, 1997). Those complexities in the game often focus on
the number of decisions to be made, observed by Brehmer and Allard (1991). Three
components make the business game complex: (a) decision types, (b) number of
decisions per cycle, and (c) size of the players’ manual interfaces. They can use these to
judge a game complexity with quantitative dimension (Wolfe 1978). According to
Wolfe’s comment, the decision cycle time is also an important variable for players, but
26
they do not always pay attention to it (Keys and Wolf 1990). However, the time cycle
factor tends to make the game more complex. It is considered a process-related factors
rather than a structural factor. The business games carefully and closely link two factors,
time cycle and number of decisions (Keys and Wolfe 1990). New paradigm of
simulations were developed to add a dynamic aspect to the teaching and to provide more
involvement of instructors’ ideas to present to their classes.
Other Views of Simulation Game
The first view is concerned with simulation games accelerating and changing in
various characteristics to try and to cover all business functions (Ivo and Don, 1999).
Although the superficial goal of the business simulation is obtain the highest profit, the
true goal of learning is to know and understanding the business rules. (Henshaw and
Jackson, 1978). The goals set by the game are hardly considered in large corporations
such as Coca-Cola, yet the corporation evaluations are regularly used in making quality
managerial decisions (Jusson, 1982).
In the earlier research, the conclusion drawn was that the performance of what
could be used to predict the academic success or to appraise managerial potential (Vance
and Gray, 1967).
The various environments cause some performance requirements in performing,
such as the firm’s assets at start of the game. These are not synchronized to situations in
the real world. The conclusion in some reports was that the characteristic of simulation
was limited by financial measure instead of using human skill. Teach (1990) pinpoints
the period over time, which profits are accumulated in the most business simulation, is
27
too short to used profit to provide adequate measurement. The same as association for
business and experiential learning meeting (1986) posted the conclusion that it had been
clamed the top managers were judged on their ability of bottom-line profits. The
utilization and profits, as an evaluation tool, create too many obstacles for realistic
design. Also, the short-term tactic may negatively affect short-term profit but it leads the
long-term position. The example has been given as the following case: “… the tactic
buying market share early in production development and commercialization has proven
to have long-run benefits to many actual firms” (Teach, 1990, p13).
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CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
The simulation game represents a tool to help students understand fundamentals
business concepts. The game style was adapted in response to the simulation games’
problems which had been reviewed in Chapter 2. This chapter investigates methodology
used for the game development. The result of the development is a game based on the
rudimentary business concepts and the simulation technique. The development process
uses software engineering as a tool is explained in the following section. The chapter is
divided into three sections. The first section explores the game concept. The second
explains how to use the tools to develop the simulation game, given the elements of
processes, data structure, and user interfaces. The final section discussed the game’s
validity.
Game Concept
The first step of the game’s development is to identify the game’s concept in turn,
modeling the logical system. The system’s characteristics and architecture are determined
in this section. The general idea of a business and the specific type of business operation
are considered to add to the game and it effectively showed to the user. This means the
CATScanner model represents the general idea, and the pizza restaurant operation
represents the specific case study. The following diagram shows the game’s elements:
29
Figure 3.1. Game Concept Diagram
The first element in the diagram is the CATscanner model, and it shows a
fundamental business concept that is surrounded by internal and external environments,
as mentioned in Chapter 1. The environments of the business are related to the factors
that impact the profit shown in the report statements. The diagram shows the restaurant
simulation, which is a prototype of the CATscanner model and refers to a type of
business. The first simulation includes the general business processes, which are
automatically run. The characteristics of the game are divided into two parts, students and
instructor, and are related to the second simulation, the situational simulation. This idea
provides for the instructor to create a scenario or case study, a problem, and a set of
solutions. The situational simulation is also linked to the operational simulation. The
CATScannerModel
RestaurantOperationSimulation
SituationalProblem& Alternative
Simulation
Result ofSimulation
(Business Report)
UsersInterfaces
30
student and instructor have their own graphic user interfaces to interact with the
simulations.
The first simulation brings the idea of a working routine that utilizes the computer
timer technique, a set of commands that work in every time period. This first simulation
formulates the operational functions, which are manipulated by the business factors. The
factor elements use the same platform, which is numerical data, in the second simulation.
The situational scenario, therefore, includes mathematical formulas to determine the
factors’ value. The instructor can create a situation and a set of alternatives in which only
one is the best. This is the fundamental idea of the game system.
Development of the Simulation Game
The three sections includs in this part are analysis, design, and software
requirement.
Analysis
The game development refers to the software engineering’s function, software
analysis. This step of development defines what a given application will do based on two
types of software engineering methodologies: process-oriented and data-oriented. The
process-oriented method is used to analyze the restaurant simulation, but the data-
oriented method is used to analyze the situational simulation. The process methodologies
take a structured, top-down approach to evaluate the sequential processes and the data
flow diagrams with which they are connected. In the data-oriented methodology, the
development starts with an analysis of the processes’ relationships to determine and
underline the data architecture. Some data processing activities or data activities, such as
31
insert and update, are considered, and these activities are grouped into the data flow
diagram.
The restaurant simulation is developed according to the business rules in a
restaurant operation. The diagram is created according to the process that characterizes a
generic business’s functional tasks. The data flow diagram is used in this process for
graphically representing the application’s components that connect processes to other
processes, stored data, and identified external entities such as the human interface. The
structured composition technique is used to analyze the individual parts, allowing us to
identify and isolate small parts of a problem. Because the restaurant operation is designed
to be an automatic process, the input element of the process connects to a database
interface, not a manual input interface. The database’s tables then are identified and
related to the diagram; these details were in the appendix section.
The situational simulation is developed when the business factors’ structure is
determined. The structure element depends on data analysis. It is based on relational
database theories, seeking to understand the meaning behind the business factors in the
simulation. The data relationship diagrams in this process then are generated. By using
standard business concepts, the relationship rules are generated. This development does
not accommodate time, has no implied sequence to the processes, and assigns data in
analysis without deliberation. The results of the development are attached in the appendix
section.
Design
The third step of the development is the design phase of the game, which uses the
software engineering technique. The design phase translates “what” the system is
32
supposed to do into “how” the system does it in the particular software and hardware
configuration. During this phase, the process generates software components, modules,
interfaces, and database’s tables. The details of this phase also verify application control
flow, data structure, algorithms, and program components.
The restaurant simulation is designed according to the process-oriented design.
The process of design starts with developing a structure chart, a physical database and
program specification. The structure chart is the result of transforming the data flow
diagram with its functional elements and identifying the clustering of subprocess based
on major business functions. The functions are either input, process, or output. The input
function mainly retrieves data and prepares it for the process. The process functions
transform data values by mathematic functions, according to the business rules. The
output functions send the data either to storage, another process or screen. The algorithm
then is generated to describe the data structure element. At the moment, the screen input
and output are created for this simulation. These are shown in the appendix.
The second part of the game, the situational simulation is designed using the data-
oriented concept. This emphasizes on design control, human interfaces, and a
reconfirmed database definition. Because the data flow diagram in the second is
dependent, the structure to control the process is a matrix process, using the same level,
not the sequence process, or the human interface. The human interface is the groups of
graphic interfaces, which are designed on the screen and based on developing software.
The processes’ algorithm and graphic interfaces are also attached in appendix section.
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Software Requirement
After the game system is identified in detail as the analysis and design parts, the
application’s requirements are determined. Visual Basic version 6 (VB) is selected,
which is the developing software tool for creating the game. The features of the VB are
as follows: 1) easy to create graphic user interfaces, 2) ability to use SQL command to
access database, 3) ability to create object-oriented interface, and 4) computable to almost
all computers in the world. The game uses Microsoft Access for storing data element in
its tables. The last requirement obviously is a Microsoft Windows operating system. The
requirements are fit to the game system and are easy to maintain.
Game Validity
The game’s validity is concerned with the standard business concepts that
constitute the class’s business knowledge. This means the result of the game tests both
the process and the output data from the input data. This validity process is shown in the
process description, the results of which discussed in Chapter 4
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CHAPTER 4
RESULTS AND FINDINGS
This chapter will present the results and discuss the findings. The results were
determined in the following order:
1. Outlook of Game
Graphical Interface of Simulation Game
Graphical Interface of Instructor Model
2. Running Simulation Game
2.1 Running Restaurant Simulation
2.1.1 Main Modules
2.1.2 Restaurant Simulation
2.1.3 Restaurant Operation Monthly Report
2.1.4 Business Situation and Alternatives
2.2 Running Situational Simulation
3. Simulation Study Case
3.1 Beginning Simulation
3.2 Situations at the End of the First Month
3.3 Comparing results of the running simulation
Outlook of Game
A pizza restaurant is selected to represent the general business concepts. As the
result of the development, the interfaces are divided into two parts, student and instructor.
35
In the first part of the game, the processes of the restaurant operation are simulated
behind user interfaces, meaning that the user will see the results of running processes on
the screen. The users learn the business concept by the game process. The game shows
various situational problems and the user selects the best alternative decision of solving
the problems. In the other part, instructors can create a situational simulation, which is
internal or external environmental conditions in the restaurant business, and situation
alternatives for a student to make the best decision. The game uses images, text boxes,
combo boxes, and list boxes in windows to interact with the users.
4.1.1 Graphical Interface of Simulation Game
The first part of the game is designed for students in a business class. The main
objective in this part is to operate the restaurant simulation and to make the best decision
for a given situational problem. The goal of the business simulation is to generate
maximum profit, which is measured by monthly earnings. Every alternative brings
different consequences for the user’s simulation, varying from cutting operation costs to
stimulating the restaurant’s market share. There are four graphic user interfaces (GUI) in
this part. The first two GUIs contain information about the operation, telling the status of
the business. The next interface is a report of the operation. The last interface shows a
situational problem and alternatives from which a student can select one.
The first graphic user interface is a window that contains running numbers of
factors in the operation, timing values to indicate the game time, and the model of the
business. The user will consider those numbers in making a decision about the given
business situational problem. The CATscanner model on the right side of the form
(Figure 4.1) depicts the relationship between the business and the internal and external
36
environments that impact the organization. Internal environments are generic business
functions in an organization which consists of production, sales, finance, accounting,
human resources, research and development, management, information systems, and
strategic planning. The external environments are grouped into seven clouds: production
input, industry and competition, economic, technology, political, legal, and social and
culture. The relationship is represented by a connection line from the clouds to the
organization body.
There are three frames, components of the GUI, on the left side (Figure 4.1). All
frames contain text boxes in which data cannot be changed by the user. The first frame
shows the amount of cash available, the amount of check received, and the credit balance
with suppliers in the text boxes. The second frame attaches supply information. These
text boxes show the number of materials and products on hand. The last frame gives the
total amount of sales and the customer demand number, which means the amount of
pizzas’ demanded from the restaurant, in their text boxes. On the bottom right, there are
three boxes representing time values, which are day, month, and year. In the internal
environment area of the modeling image, the user can click to open the “business’s
factors” form (second GUI), yet the report interface shows on the screen at the end of
every month of game time.
37
Figure 4.1. CATscanner Screen.
FinancialStatus
Imagemodel
Timemonitor
DemandsupplyStatus
Business ExternalEnvironments
38
The “business’s factors” form (Figure 4.2) contains the factors’ names and values,
so the user can monitor the information concerning the restaurant’s operation. The
factors’ names are in a gray-colored box, but the factors’ values are in a white-colored
box. The factors are divided into five sections as shown on the Figure 4.2. The screen is
shown when the user clicks the mouse on the business’s internal area of CATscanner
screen.
Figure 4.2. Monitoring Factor screen.
The data report, as shown in Figure 4.3, consists of two account statements, the
Income Statement and the Statement of Owner’s Equity. This report is automatically
shown at the end of each month.
The Income Statement carries sale revenue and cost expenses. A section line
partitions the revenue and cost expenses. The numbers are the result of revenue (the
amount of total sale) and the following expense items:
1. Cost of goods sold is the same as the cost of ordered materials.
39
2. Depreciation is a quantified allowance made for a loss in value of equipments
and tools.
3. Gas, Electric, and Power are a variable cost that is dependent upon
production.
4. Insurance is the cost of properties and equipment being insured.
5. Rent is the cost of the restaurant building.
6. The salary is a cost for all employees.
At the end of each section, a sum of the section’s items is shown on the right side,
under the line. The loss or profit is calculated and shown on the bottom of this statement.
The Statement of Owner’s Equity includes the business’s accumulated earning
value. There are two lines in this section. The first line is the amount of accumulated
earning up to the previous month in the game’s time, and the other is the loss or profit of
the current month. Then, the new earning’s number, which is a summation of all items in
this section, is shown in the last line of the statement. The additional information is
included in the running simulation section.
The user can print out the result by pressing the print button or save it to a file by
using save button, both of which are on the top of the report. The user can also zoom in
and out of the report by selecting the zoom percent in the combo box, which is a drop
down control containing different choices. The following, Figure 4.3, shows an image of
the report. After closing the report, the situation window will appear on the screen.
40
Figure 4.3. Monthly Report Screen
The fourth GUI is a window which contains three components: a situational
problem, its solutions, and a confirm button. The user can read text data in the first part.
The text described the situation or problem. This is followed by the next component. It
provides alternatives to the problem. They are in option boxes, which the user can click
on choose a particular answer. The users need the knowledge that they have learned in
their business classes to consider each alternative (Figure 4.4). The “OK” button is
provided to confirm their answer. The situation and alternative choice will change the
factor variables, some of which are shown in Figure 4.2. They will affect the next result,
41
and the best alternative in this round will be explained after closing the following
month’s report window.
Figure 4.4. Situational Decision screen.
4.1.2 Graphical Interface of Instructor Model
The second part of the game is designed for the instructor of a business class. The
main objective in this part is to create a situational simulation and its alternatives which
impacted the restaurant simulation, the first part of the game. There were two areas in
which the situation can change the model’s data: the first area is in the business factors,
and the second area is in the business expenses. A situation and its alternatives can have
many influences in those areas. The task of an instructor is to come up with a reasonable
series of situations and its alternatives. All situational problems and alternatives impact
business factors and expenses. When this paper refers to a situation, it means a situational
problem of the business. The alternatives obviously are the solutions of the problem. A
42
series refers to a group of situations which comprise a problem situation and its
alternative, grouping by the same numbers of month and year.
The task of creating a situational simulation is completed in four GUIs. The first
GUI is called the Multiform Document Interface (MDI); it contains other windows it and
has menu items that control each of those inside. The second GUI is the main situation
control. This window is used to control the situation series and the two object interfaces
in that main window, which related to the factor and expense windows.
The first window contains the menu bar object. The users can easily choose the
menu item to do what they want to do by controlling the child windows. The child
windows are other three windows: “main control,” “situation related factors,” and
“situation related to expenses.” They are loaded into the MDI window following the
menu item’s action. There are three items to control in each window, and all sub items in
the menu are the same. The sub items consist of insert, update, and delete. The action of
the main’s sub item acts according to the word in its area. For instance, the sub item
“series inserts” new record to a series situation table.
Figure 4.5. Main Menu screen.
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The main control window is added to the MDI window when the program started.
This window includes four control areas, which are “recordset” control, situational
contents control, situation related to factors control, and situation related to expenses
control. “Recordset” is referred to as a pointer in the table’s record of the database, which
is an index of table’s column. The “recordset” control has five object interface elements.
1 Button “|<” represents the first record.
2. Button “<” represents previous record.
3. Text box represents the current record as a number out of the total number of
records.
4. Button “>” represents next record.
5. Button “>|” represent the last record
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When the user clicks on the buttons, the “recordset” moves a position, following
the buttons as represented above. The users can refer to the text box element to know
which record they are working.
The situational content area is composed of six objects, five text boxes and a
combo box. The first text box represents the description of the situation and is located at
the top of the window. The type of situation identifies a series by a character. The
character “Q” represents a situational problem while the character “A” represents an
alternative. The schedule frame, next to the situation type, contains two text boxes, month
and year. These two text boxes are used to get the number of the particular month and
year. The numbers are used as the timer to match the situational simulation and the
restaurant simulation. For example, if the month and year are the number 2 and 1, then,
the schedule is set to February of the first year of the restaurant simulation (Figure 4.1).
The situation impacts the restaurant simulation in that month. The last object, combo box,
indicates which external environment group fits to the situation. The user can select one
environment which is shown in the restaurant simulation model. The last text box is an
option box. This is visible when the series situation type is “Q.” The user can insert text
to explain the best answer or alternative for this situation.
45
Figure 4.6 Control Situation screen.
The next area is the situation related to factors. This area enables the user to add
factors that are impacted by the situation and determine how it will be impacted. As
mentioned earlier, a situation can have many impact’s factors. The three buttons in this
area will control those factors in the situation by inserting, updating, and deleting. After
pressing the buttons, the factor window will operate. The last area in the main situation
window deals with “situation related expenses.” This area has the same structure as the
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“situation related factor” area. There is one list box to monitor expense items and three
button boxes to control it.
The following, Figure 4.7, is the situational factor form. The title of this window
will tell whether it is in an insertion, update or deletion. The user may opt to set the factor
in the first combo box. When the user selects the factor, the textbox down below will
show the details, illustrating what the function of the factor is. The second combo
contains the operational symbols for a mathematic operation. It is available for the user to
select as well. The text box, next to the operational symbols box, is for a number to
complete the mathematical calculation for the factor. After the user fills out all data, they
may click the ‘ok’ button to select or ‘cancel’ to deny the data. For example, if the factor
is population, the operational symbol is a plus, sign and the calculation number is 300,
then the new population value is the last population plus 300.
Figure 4.7. Insert Factor screen
Figure 4.8 shows the situational expense window. The title of this window will
tell the status of the window whether it will insert, update, or delete. The user can select
the base factor in the first combo box or drop-down menu box. This factor will be
multiplied by the value number that is in the last textbox. The textbox ‘detail’ will be
used to retrieve the expense text that will be shown in the student report.
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Figure 4.8. Update Expense screen.
4.2. Running the Simulation Game
This section will sequentially describe all processes, each of which is called a
module. It will determine the modules’ tasks and their functions, which are controlled by
programming statements and programming variables. The modules include some
mathematic functions composed of business factors. Some module characteristics are
related to graph interface behavior. For example, the click event in a button box will
contain codes called the “button_click” module. As mention earlier in chapter 4 section 1,
the game’s processes are divided into two parts.
4.2.1 Running Restaurant Simulation
The process of the first part is shown in Figure 4.9. The square symbol represents
the programming modules grouped by their interface object. The arrow links between
modules. This part starts with the main module, followed by the simulation of the
restaurant operation, the business report, and the business situation.
Figure 4.9. The Simulation Game Process.
Mainmodules
RestaurantSimulation
ReportBusinessSituation
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4.2.1.1 Main Modules
The “main modules” includes the “Getfactors” sub module, the “Savedata” sub
module, and the “getmonthlyexpense” sub module. The main module contains two tasks.
Before this can be explained, the process of initiating data variable must be described.
The business factors used in the program’s modules are declared with the same structure.
The object variables constructed by the class object, is shown in the Figure 4.10.
Figure 4.10. Database Class Object.
The class object consists of two properties, “value” and “desc.” The “value”
property is a numeric type variable, and the “desc” property is a text type variable. The
main module calls on the “Getfactor” sub module to retrieve the factor value from the
database in “current table” (appendix, data structure 1). The data object is declared and
named as the business factor’s name yet the value and description of the factor will be set
according to the object’s properties (definition of term). The advantages of using the
object variable are as follows: 1) to work quickly in the memory level, 2) to easily control
49
the object variable using the name of the factors, and 3) to flexibly add more factors by
inserting them into the database. The main module then calls the “restaurantsim”
window, which is the second task.
These following two sub modules serve as the database interface. The codes
inside the module will contain the SQL command to connect to the database. The first
module, “saveData,” contains a loop to check for all of the object variables. In the loop,
the properties of the object variables will be saved to database table, “CurrentData.”
The second sub module, in the first modules group, is used to prepare the business
expenses for each month in the game time. The SQL command is used to calculate the
total expense from current expenses and situational expenses. The total amount of
expense finally is set to the “MonthlyExpense” object variable.
4.2.1.2 Restaurant Simulation
The second group of modules is in the restaurant simulation window. This
interface has six modules, two of which are functional modules. The first four modules
are related to graphic objects on the window. The last two modules are the user modules,
and they are a group of commands used so frequently that they are collected and named
to be easily called from anywhere in the game. The functional modules are the user
modules that receive parameters for calculation, giving the resulting values back to the
variables.
The following, Figure 4.11, is a diagram of the restaurant simulation’s modules. It
depicts the modules’ process sequence and is followed by an explanation.
Figure 4.11. Simulation Game: Routinely Process.
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Initialize
Hour Day Month Year
Timer Routine
Timer1
Show Data
GenerateDay demand
ImageClick
RestaurantSimulation
Calsale Checkout
The process starts with the initialize module. Then the three modules, which are
“timer1_timer,” “Imager1_click,” and “Timerroutine_timer,” are loaded. These are
object-event modules that have a special behavior. For timer objects, they work like a
schedule, running the timer module in every time period. The “Image1_module” is used
when the user clicks on an image in the internal environment area of the business model.
The last modules and functional modules support the main four modules as shown in the
diagram.
The initialize module first generates a daily customer demand. There are four
factors that impact the demand value. The company demand is calculated by multiplying
the population, the meals consumed per day, the market portion, and the market share.
The timer routine simulates the restaurant operation tasks in the game time. It uses
the “gametime” parameter to check with the timer’s clock. When the condition is true,
meaning that the two are equal, the process will recount the business time factors. Then,
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the timer will check condition of the business time factors, which are “business_hours,”
“business_day,” “business_month,” and “business_year.”.
Hours: The hourly routine contains production tasks, sales and delivery tasks, and
check/cash status tasks. Because tasks in this section are very detailed, they will be
represented as a sum.
a) The production routine begins with checking the hourly demand and the
amount of product on hand. If the demand exceeds the product on hand,
then the materials of operation are checked. The production process will
be performed only if there are enough materials. The production is
calculated as the amount of pizzas produced in that hour. Four factors are
formulated to the following mathematic function:
)'()_'( capacitymachinemachineabilityschefchef ×+×
b) The sales routine generates the amount of total sales every hour in game
time. The number combines the total sales in the restaurant and the total
sales by delivery. The first number, total sales in the restaurant, is
calculated within the following conditions.
- If the demand number and quantity of production on hand
exceed zero, the process continues. The second condition
checks that, if the demand exceeds the production number, the
process will check the third condition. If this is not the case, the
process will jump to the fourth condition. The third condition
checks if the product exceeds the service capability, which is
the number of waiters multiplied by the waiter’s ability. In the
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fourth condition, if the hour’s demand number exceeds the
“calsale” function, the value of sale is set to the “calsale”
value, or if not, the value of sale is set to the hour’s demand
number. After checking the conditions, the demand number
and quantity of product on hand are reduced by the value of
sales, yet the revenue is calculated and given to the cash and
check value. The revenue is the amount resulting from
multiplying the units’ sold and individual pizza price.
- The total sale by delivery element simulates the pizza delivery
system. The routine generates a random number as a time
based on the maximum distance of travel for every delivery
person. This process is referred to as a shipment of pizza. The
routine will generate new random time for that delivery person
everyday. In the delivery process, the amount of sales will be
calculated much like the selling of pizza in the restaurant
process, but instead, it replaces the “calculated_sale” function
with the “delivery_capability” factor.
c) The last task in the hourly routine is the checking/cash status. This
small code contains a condition statement for when the cash number is less
than zero. This will allow a process to borrow money and add that amount
to the credit balance and the cash number. The amount is dependent upon
minimum cash policy for this company, which is called “cashsafty”.
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DayThere are four tasks in the daily routine. These four tasks are involved in the daily
operation, some of which have trigger factors for checking the days to run the tasks.
a) The first task generates the demand number by calling the
“generated_day_demand” module as describe earlier.
b) The second task cashes checks. For the restaurant business, when pizzas
are sold, the restaurant may sometimes receive checks. There is a policy in
the business for when checks will be changed to cash.
c) The third task is the restaurant’s debt payment. The restaurant also has a
policy dictating schedule for paying the restaurant’s debt. The process will
check if the company has cash on hand enough to pay the debt. If there is
enough, the cash will be reduced by the amount of debt, and the debt
number will be set to zero. If there is not enough money, the company will
pay as much cash as is available.
d) The daily routine checks the materials to determine if it is time to re-
order. The process will run according to the policy on materials’ safety
stock and the period for materials’ delivery. When the materials are less
than the safety stock number, the reordering process will run. This will set
the starting trigger to count down the delivery time. The new materials
will be added to the inventory when they arrive, and the payment system
will be performed. The purchase cost is the cost of materials and the cost
of ordering them. The company will pay the cost in cash, and the quantity
order in that month is updated and recorded to the “norder” factor.
Month
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The monthly routine has only two short tasks that are setting up time parameters,
and calling the report object.
Year
The last task in the timer routine is to set-up the time parameters.
When the user clicks the image area, the “factor monitoring” window will be
shown. The “factor monitoring” window only has one module that sets some values of
the object variable data to text box or object interface. The last task of the timer routine is
to set the values of the objects on the “restaurantsim” window. These commands are in
the “Datashow” module.
4.2.1.3 Restaurant Operation Monthly Report
The third group of modules will mainly create the business report statements, the
Income Statement and Statement of Owner’s Equity. The process begins with checking
account statements. It retrieves data from tables and separates them into revenue and
expense group. The “SaveData” will be called to update the “CurrentData” table as
described earlier in this chapter. The “GetMonthlyExpense” sub module then is called to
collect expenses’ data and calculate the total expense. The total expense is subtracted to
the cash value given the current cash value. The closing report module will bring up the
business situation window.
4.2.1.4 Business Situation and Alternatives
The last group is composed of six modules, five of which are object-event. The
first module, “Form_Load,” is called when the window is active. The second,
“Form_Unload,” is called when window is closed. The third module,
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“Command1_Click,” is in the confirm button, and the module will be called when the
user clicks the button. The forth module, “VScroll1_Change,” is the display controller on
the screen, for there are times when the user changes the scroll bar’s position if the detail
is larger than the window size. The last object-event module, “VScroll1_Scroll,” is called
when the mouse is used to control the scroll bar on the window. The last module, the user
module, deals with changing data in the tables. The module will locate the factors in the
“CurrentData” table, which match the selected alternative, and change their values.
The “Form_Load” module starts with checking for the answer, the best alternative
for last month, and showing it. This process searches the data in the situation table, where
the numbers of the month and year are the same as that of the previous month and year in
the game time, using the SQL command. The process next selects records where the
numbers of month and year are the same as the numbers of the current month and year in
the game time. When the process retrieves the records in the table as a loop, it creates a
new object to the window. If the situation type is a situational problem, the module is
declared to a label box, only showing the text. If the module is an alternative situation,
the object type is declared to an option box, with a text property, to describe the
alternative. The four properties of the “VScroll” object are the final task. The minimum
and maximum lines for the window are set to maximum line properties of the scroll bar
object; then the change is set.
After the users read the situational problem and alternatives as a text description,
they must select an alternative and click “OK” to confirm their answer. This action
relates to the “Command1_Click” module. This module will set the factors in the
“currentdata” table, which will impact the restaurant simulation process.
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When the window is closed, the “Form_Unload” module is called. This module
will cause the timer in the restaurant simulation window to start again.
4.2.2 Running Situational Simulation
Because the situational simulation’s tasks are to generate and to organize a
business situation which will impact business factors and expenses, the modules are
involved in data access control. This part of the game allows the user to insert, delete, and
update data in the main three tables: the situation table, the situation related factors table,
and the situation related expenses table. The tasks in the GUIs are mainly object-event
modules. These will be divided into five groups in the following the next paragraphs.
The first group of modules will setup the application variables. The tasks of these
modules load records from the database’s three tables to recordset variables. In general,
the modules create database objects in the computer memory as “db” and then refer to
table in the database as “rs.” The recordset object is built-in includes some functions to
manage its records.
The user can control the situational record by the recordset object. The object
contains graphic control elements. The process will automatically move the record to
where the user commands wants it to be and set other objects’ value properties, which
will map the data field to the recordset. The movements of a record can be divided to
four types: move first, move previous, move next, and move last. After moving the record
position, the “Data_Reposition” module is called. This module will reload the factor and
expense items which relate to the situation number and will check the situation type. If
the situation type is a problem type, the situation’s answer field is visible. If the
57
situational type is an answer type, the situation’s answer field is invisible. The situation’s
answer field will contain a text to explain the answer for the situation problem
The user interfaces of the recordset object will be shown as button boxes. There
are four buttons in this object insert, delete, update, and refresh.
As mentioned earlier, the “situation_factors” table is related to the
“situation_factors” element in the situation window in the same manner as the
“situation_expense” table is related to the “situation_expenses” element. Each area is
composed of three buttons. The “Insert factor” button tells the record in the situation
factor table to jump to the last record, and it adds the new record to the table. The “OK”
button on the window contains the SQL command to add data from the interface objects
to the “situation_factor” table. The “Update_factor” button will set the data, which are
selected on the situation window, in the object interface in the “situation_factor” window
and show that window. When the user clicks the “OK” button on that window, the
process will use the SQL command to delete or add records to the “situation_factor”
table. When the user selects “Delete factor,” the “situation_factor” window will be shown
to confirm the deletion.
The expense’s component, in the situation window, uses the same concepts as the
factor component containing the same three buttons. The process in the expense modules
are the same as the factor modules with the exception of using the “situation_expense”
table instead.
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4.3. Simulation Study Case
This section will focus on the result of running a simulation. It will investigate the
business reports from the first and second month in the simulation game time. The status
of the business will be shown in the report and will be based on the situational problem
and chosen alternative. The consequences of the situation will impact the factors and
expenses of the business. The following paragraphs will show the result of each decision
alternative and the details in the tables. The first diagram will show the process of the
simulation.
Figure 4.12. Case Study Process.
OperationFactors
Situation
SituationFactor
BusinessStatement
Process
BusinessStatement
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
Factors
Expense
1st Month
2nd Month
Decision 1
Decision 2
Decision 3
Decision 4
The diagram shows the factors’ table in a rectangular box. It connects to a process
in a circular box by an arrow symbol. The alternative case will be expressed by being
shown in the factor and expense table’s changing data, which will generate the different
result in the report. The first and second month processes give the report as a report box
that is connected to the circular box. When the first month of the simulation generates a
59
report, the situation decision will be shown. The four decisions in the second month will
be considered from which one will be selected. Each selection choice will be related to
the resulting impacted factors, which are resulted in the second month report.
4.3.1 Beginning Simulation
Suppose that the restaurant’s factors are in the following, Table 4.1, before
running the business operation.
Table 4.1. Situation Factor.
Current DataEvent Var_name Var_valueTypeDesc
Max_delivery_time 3 ch Maximum timer to deliveryGametime 3 cl The period of timerMK_H_demand 0 cl Hourly demand for the markettimeordermaterialwait0 cl Time-order trackingcheck_transfer_waiting0 cl Check transfer trackingcredit_transfer_waiting0 cl Credit transfer tracking
Production Chef 2 ch Number of Chef hiringSale Waiter 1 ch Employee who work in the
restaurant driving sale volumeSale delivery_man 2 ch Employee number to delivery
PizzasSale waiter_capability 10 ch Capability to serve for an hourSale delivery_capability 10 ch Capability to send pizza a round
Business_time 8 ch The business work time a day,giving hours work a day
Demand PriceBase 14 Standard price in the marketProduction Equipment 1 ch Machine and Equipment to
produce PizzaProduction pizza_ingredient 2 ch Units number of Materials use for
a pizzaProduction chef_capability 10 ch Performance of Chef producing
Pizzas, per hr, per personSale Restaurant 1 cl The number of restaurantCashRecieveCheckRecieve 0 cl Value of total check receivedCashRecieveCredit 0 cl Total credit value in businessCashRecieveCash 2000 cl Cash on hand
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Current DataEvent Var_name Var_valueTypeDescProduction Materials 1000 ch Materials on handProduct equipment_capability 40 ch Capability of equipment producing
pizzas, per hr, per machineOrderSupplyTimeOrderMaterial 2 ch The period to order material
check_sale_percentage0.6 ch Percentage of sale to checkcash_sale_percentage0.4 ch Percentage of sale to cashcheck_transfer_period5 ch The number of a period
transferring check to cashCashsafty 2000 ch Minimum allowable cash on handCreditlimited 100000 cl Limited of credit value or game
over time runOvertime 60 cl Days allowing to have maximum
credit or game overcredit_transfer_period15 ch the number of period paying creditInterest 0.5 ch the interest add to credit when pay
it lateSale Totalsale 0 cl Total sale of pizzas in a monthTime Business_month 1 cl simulation monthTime Business_year 1 cl simulation yearTime Varsale 0 cl Temporary number accumulate
sale number a dayTime Lotordercost 5000 ch A materials' cost per orderTime MonthExpense 22000 cl Amount of monthly expenseTime Business_hr 1 cl Simulation hours
Mk_demand 0 ch The demand of pizza for thiscompany, it is generated everysimulation day time
Business_day 0 cl Simulation dayProduct 10 cl Pizza on handOrderCostPer 500 ch Other expenses for order supply
Product Norder 0 cl number of order,Startcash 2000 ch the start cash value starting month
Demand Population 30000 ch people (demand base)Demand meal_a_day 1.5 ch Average meals that a person
consuming a dayDemand mk_portion 0.01 ch Pizza market portion among other
types restaurant industryDemand mk_share 0.3 ch The company market share of all
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Current DataEvent Var_name Var_valueTypeDesc
competitionsDemand Flexibility 0 ch The random boundary, limitation
of randomOrderSupplySaftyStock 1000 ch The minimum number of materials
before sending orderOrderSupplyLotOrder 2000 ch Units of material order a timeDemand Productprice 14 ch Pizza Price
After the first month of running the restaurant simulation, the business factors will
be changed and saved into the table. Then, the process will retrieve the data from the
table to show in the following report (Table 4.2).
Table 4.2. 1st Month Business Report.
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The first month of simulation shows that the company has $9,988.05 profit,
excluding the effect of a situational problem. The report uses the business factors in
Table 4.1 to run the simulation’s process. The Statement of Owner’s Equity shows the
new total earning, which is the amount of the previously accumulated earning and this
month’s profit. It shows that the company’s current earning is $11,988.05.
4.3.2 Situations at the End of the First Month
Suppose that the restaurant operation is faced with a new competition, which
drops their pizza price by 20%. This situation decreases the original business’s market
share by 20%. There are the following four alternatives for this situation.
The restaurant could match the competition’s price. In this case, the price will be dropped
by 20%. The new price may interest people and stimulate the market share, raising it 40%
among its competitors.
Table 4.3. Factor Impact Case 1.
Situational Factor Mathematic Function
Product price Product price = Product price * 0.8
Market Share market share = Market share * 1.8
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Table 4.4. Report of Alternative1 in 2nd Month.
The restaurant realizes that, though the demand factor is important, the production
capability does still not meet the current demand, and the price of pizza is more important
than the demand number influencing the profit. Therefore, the restaurant should increase
productivity and quality of the product. This alternative will impact the delivery
capability and production capability. The reward of increasing capability will
approximately be returned to employee as 10% of their salary. This amount will be added
to the salary expense in the report. The consequence of this alternative is that it will
stimulate the market share to increase by 0.66%. The following, Table 4.5, is the details
of factors and mathematical functions
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Table 4.5. Factor Impact Case 2.
Situational Factor Mathematic Function
Delivery Capability delivery_capability=delivery_capability * 1.10
Equipment Capability equipment_capability=equipment_capability* 1.10
Chef Capability chef_capability =chef_capability*1.10
Waiter Capability waiter_capability =waiter_capability *1.10
Market Share market share = market share + 0.002
Salary Expense salary expense = salary expense +(deliveryman*200)
salary expense = salary expense +(chef*200)
salary expense = salary expense +(waiter*200)
After the use chooses this alternative, the report will be set in the following number:
Table 4.6. Report of Alternative 2 in 2nd Month.
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The restaurant thinks that the price of pizza can greatly impact monthly profit.
This alternative chooses paying extra money in the form of advertising to keep the
demand. Furthermore, the advertising may impact the demand more than the price factor.
This alternative spends an average of $1 per pizza sold for the ads. This stimulation may
increase the demand by as much as 5%. The factors impact is in the following, Table 4.7:
Table 4.7. Factor Impact Case 3
Situational Factor Mathematic Function
Market Share Market_share=market_share*0.05
Advertising Cost Advertising Cost = product sale * 1
Table 4.8. Report of Alternative 3 in 2nd Month.
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The last alternative thinks that the restaurant’s situation is good enough to not act
at in this time. The percentage of demand decreasing is so small that it cannot affect the
profit. The production and selling factors are also strong and stable, creating the
possibility of obtaining the similar profit as the previous month.
Table 4.9. Report of Alternative 4 in 2nd Month.
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With the result of each alternative, the values of the business factors differed
greatly after changing. The following spreadsheet shows how the varying alternatives
impact each factor in the business, in order to easily compare them.
4.3.3 Comparing results of running simulation
The bold characters emphasize the factors that have been changed by the chosen
alternative.
Table 4.10. Comparing Factors’ Alternatives.
Comparing Business Factors
Name Starting 1st Month2nd MonthAlternative 1
2nd MonthAlternative 2
2nd MonthAlternative 3
2nd MonthAlternative 4
Max_delivery_time 3 3 3 3 3 3
Gametime 3 3 3 3 3 3
MK_H_demand 0 0 0 0 0 0
Timeordermaterialwait 0 0 0 2 2 0
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Comparing Business Factors
Name Starting 1st Month2nd MonthAlternative 1
2nd MonthAlternative 2
2nd MonthAlternative 3
2nd MonthAlternative 4
check_transfer_waiting 0 0 5 5 5 5
credit_transfer_waiting 0 14 11 11 11 11
Chef 2 2 2 2 2 2
Waiter 1 1 1 1 1 1
delivery_man 2 2 2 2 2 2
waiter_capability 10 10 10 11 10 10
delivery_capability 10 10 10 11 10 10
Business_time 8 8 8 8 8 8
PriceBase 14 14 14 14 14 14
Equipment 1 1 1 1 1 1
pizza_ingredient 2 2 2 2 2 2
chef_capability 10 10 10 11 10 10
Restaurant 1 1 1 1 1 1
CheckRecieve 0 0 5962.86 4573.80 4768.24 4309.2Credit 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cash 2000 11988 10654.81 11815.12 7585.211 10681.84Materials 1000 1100 1100 720 500 1100
Equipment_capability 40 40 40 44 40 40
TimeOrderMaterial 2 2 2 2 2 2
check_sale_percentage 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
Cash_sale_percentage 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4
check_transfer_period 5 5 5 5 5 5
Cashsafty 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
creditlimited 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000 100000
Overtime 60 60 60 60 60 60
credit_transfer_period 15 15 15 15 15 15
Interest 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Totalsale 0 3925.04 4965.38 3177.84 3292.64 3000.22business_month 1 2 3 3 3 3
business_year 1 1 1 1 1 1
Varsale 0 7.89 10 0.77 5.20 1.81
Lotordercost 5000 5000 5000 5000 5000 5000
MonthExpense 22000 22000 23482.69 22962.52 29231.64 22500.11business_hr 1 0 0 0 0 0
Mk_demand 0 135 194.4 108.9 113.53 102.6
business_day 0 1 1 1 1 1
Product 10 34.96 69.5743 47.11 42.32 34.74OrderCostPer 500 500 500 500 500 500
Norder 0 4 5 3 3 3
Startcash (Earning) 2,000 11,988 16,617.67 16,388.92 12,353.45 14,991.04Population 30000 30000 30000 30000 30000 30000
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Comparing Business Factors
Name Starting 1st Month2nd MonthAlternative 1
2nd MonthAlternative 2
2nd MonthAlternative 3
2nd MonthAlternative 4
meal_a_day 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
mk_portion 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01
mk_share 0.3 0.3 0.432 0.242 0.258 0.228Flexibility 0 0 0 0 0 0
SaftyStock 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
LotOrder 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000
Productprice 14 14 11.2 14 14 14
Table 4.10 shows the result of performing the simulation for the first and second
months in the game’s time with a situational problem and an alternative case. The first
alternative, matching the competitor’s price, is the best selection in this case according to
the earnings of $16,617.67. After analyzing the process, the important factors, which
brought the final result, were mainly in market share and monthly expense factors for it
generated 43% of market share. Compared to the second best number which resulted in
25% of market share, these are significantly different. Although the first alternative, the
best choice, did not produce extra expenses like the second and third alternatives, it did
reduce the pizza price, which changed from $14.00 to $11.20. This caused the profit
margin to reduce by as much as $1.80 per pizza. When simulating the total sale for the
restaurant in the second month, the first alternative sold 3,925 units, which was the
second best number. This increased the revenue to $43,960 in an environment without
any extra expenses.
The second alternative, increasing the productivity, came up with the second best
solution. It generated $16,388.92 in earning for the restaurant. Because the productivity
and quality increased, it brought the market share up to 25%. The idea of gain sharing to
increase productivity and quality, that results in increasing the market share, is an
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excellent idea, but because of the aggressive competitor action of the competitor in this
case, the second alternative may not be strong enough to compete in the market.
The third alternative, using advertising strategy, did not fit for this situation. The
cost of advertising was so high that it greatly affected expenses, increasing to $29,231.
Although the market share in this case was the second best number, it was the worst
solution, generating only $12,353 of total earning.
The last alternative, which chose do nothing, did not generate expenses but the
market share was impacted and declined to 22.8%. This number was the only factor
effected, earning $14,991 for the company.
The simulation change depends on the alternative selected. The business factors
realistically relate these decisions.
71
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This final chapter includes the conclusions and recommendations of this study. In
this chapter the objectives will be addressed and compared with the results of the study.
Recommendations for instructors and students are made. The chapter will conclude by
discussing recommendations for future research.
Conclusions
The restaurant simulation game, the result of the research, contained
characteristics which answered the research problem. The game’s concept was dependent
upon principles of business that the user could learn while playing. The CATscanner
model was used as the foundation of and standard for the game. This study achieved the
research objectives as follows:
1. It depicted the general ideas of business operation and perception of,
including the concept of “cross functional area in an organization” that
addressed the internal and external factors of the business environment.
2. Users experienced several business case studies.
3. The game was utilized as a tool to discuss business lessons.
4. The game guided people who lack a business background to understand
the principles.
At the simulation game suggestions were reviewed in Chapter 2, the researcher
designed the game to include the independent decision feature, allowing the user to run it
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on a standalone computer. This would reduce the problem regarding group conflict, and
the students were able to examine and learn from the game many times before holding a
discussion in the class. The game included a timing feature with the sequential processes,
making it easy to debug the problems of the game processes. Flexibility was not included
in the game so it would give the same result when playing. The illustration of the
business cases utilized as mathematical functions and was the significant step to
implementing the game.
Recommendations
As the simulation game will be used in a business class, the participants of the
game, of course are instructors and students. Recommendations for the two groups are as
follows:
Recommendation for instructors:
1. The instructors should carefully read the game instructions to make certain
that the game process and the relations of business factors are understood.
Only one inputting mistake can generate incorrect report statements,
which affect the given concept’s interpretation.
2. The instructors should test all the alternatives and situations in the
restaurant simulation to make appropriate recommendations. The
recommendations will be inputted in the situational simulation window.
This will also be given to students after they run the restaurant simulation
and have received the monthly report.
73
3. The instructors should use Chapter 4 to set the business factors and
mathematical functions.
4. After the students have played the simulation game, the case study from
the game could be discussed to review a business concepts.
Recommendation for students:
1. They need to read the restaurant simulation process in Chapter 4 to
understand the varying operations. This can assist in determining the best
answer to the problem.
2. They should discuss the problems with other students to make sure
decision regarding the alternative situations.
3. It is necessary for the student to use the financial statements to analyze the
case situation
4. The students should use the “factors monitoring” window to help make a
decision for the alternative situations.
Recommendations for Future Research
The recommendations for future study are made as follows:
1. Some utility functions can be included such as the “redo the decision”
function. Otherwise, the user has to access the database file by using
Microsoft Access to perform these functions.
2. The business case studies can be investigated as potential input
information for the game. The sets of situations can be researched to find
74
the relationships between the business factors, which can then be
explained by mathematical functions.
3. The game can include some advanced functions which will graphically
simulate the restaurant work routine.
4. Situations that affect the company’s long-term benefit should be
considered and added to simulation, meaning that the effect of changing in
business factors will occur longer than one month.
5. The technique of computer networking should be included in the future
simulation game. This enables the users to share data and to see the
impacts of other players’ decision making.
75
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Henshaw, R., & Jackson, J (1978). THE EXECUTIVE GAME. Homewood, IL:
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Thavikulwat, Precha (1996). Activity-driven time in computerized game
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78
APPENDEX
A. Analysis and Design: Section 1: Simulation Game
Figure A.1. Data Flow Diagram
*There are two sections of programming development. The details of two sections
are the following:
Section 1: Business Simulation
Structure Chart and Codes
BusinessSimulation
SituationSimulation
Student(User)
DatabaseDatabase
Instructor(User)
79
Figure A.2. A Restaurant Process; Business Simulation Structure Chart
BusinessProcess
GeneratedDemand
ProduceProduct
SaleDelivery
Cash checkCash credit
GetRandom()
SumRandom()
CalculatedHr Demand
RecalculateProducts &materials
Ordermaterials
RecalculateMaterials &
cash on hand
CalculateSale ability
Calculateproduction’
ability
deliveryRandom(time)
Table A.1 Situation Simulation Modules
Process Item CodesSet Data Variable Set Database variable to Database Object
Do Loop Read All recordsCreate object variable named by record dataSet object variable properties value to record’s value
LoopGenerated Demand ionmarketportemarketshardayamealpopulationndmarketdema ×××= __
Clear value of variable “Total Hour demand”For loop of business hour timeSet array “demand in hour” = random number
∑=
=n
essworknumberofbun
nHrdemandsin
)(_demandTotal_hour
Next business hour timeProduce Product Check if hour demand > product on hand
Check if abilityproductionusedingredientmaterial ×>Add product on handCut materials used
Sale and Delivery Check if still having demand and product on hand (1)Check if doductonhanDemand Pr≥ (2)
80
Check if Product > waiters’ ability Then (3)Add waiters’ ability to variable varsaleElse (if 3)Add product on hand to variable varsaleEnd If (3)Else (if 2)
Check if hr demand > waiters’ ability (4)Add waiters’ ability to variable varsaleElse (if 4)Add hr demand to variable varsaleEnd If (4)End If (2)
Else (if 1)varsale = 0End if (1)Set update demandSet update product on handSet update total products soldSet update cashSet update creditFor number of delivery man loopCheck if delivery finished
NextFor n = 1 To number of delivery peopleIf delivery(n) = business hours Then
If hourly demand > 0 And product on hand > 0 ThenIf hourly demand >= product on hand ThenIf product on hand > delivery capability Thenvarsale = delivery capability
Elsevarsale = product on hand
End IfElseIf hourly demand > delivery capability Thenvarsale = delivery capability
Elsevarsale = hourly demand
End IfEnd If
Elsevarsale = 0End If'----------------------------------------------------------------
delivery(n) = checkout(delivery(n))
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hourly demand = hourly demand - varsaleproduct on hand = product on hand - varsaletotal sale = total sale + varsalecash = cash + (varsale * Product price * sale receive cash percentage)check receive = check receive + (varsale * product price * check salepercentage)
End IfNext
Transfer credit If credit transfer waiting = credit transfer period Thencash = cash - creditcredit = 0credit transfer waiting = 0Elsecredit transfer waiting = credit transfer waiting + 1End If
Transfer check If check transfer waiting = check transfer period ThenCash = Cash + Check ReceiveCheck Receive = 0check transfer waiting = 0Elsecheck transfer waiting = check transfer waiting + 1End If
Order Materials If materials < safety stock henIf time order material <> time order material wait ThenTime order material wait = time order material wait + 1Elsematerials = materials + Lot-ordercash = cash - Lot ordercost - Order Cost Per Unitnorder = norder + 1time order material wait = 0End If
End IfShow Data Lbdayvar.Caption = Str(business day )
Lbmonthvar.Caption = Str(business month )lbyearvar.Caption = Str(business year )lbsalevar.Caption = Str(Round(Total sale , 0))lbproductvar.Caption = Str(Round(Product , 2))LbDemandVar.Caption = Str(Round(MK H demand , 0))lbmaterial.Caption = Str(materials )Lbcashvar.Caption = Str(Round(cash , 2))
Image Click txtcash sale percentage.Text = cash sale percentagetxtcashsafty Text = cashsaftytxtcheck sale percentage.Text = check sale percentagetxtcheck transfer period.Text = check transfer period
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txtchef.Text = cheftxtchef capability.Text = chef capabilitytxtcredit transfer period.Text = credit transfer periodtxtdelivery capability.Text = delivery capabilitytxtdelivery man.Text = delivery mantxtequipment.Text = equipmenttxtequipment capability.Text = equipment capabilitytxtinterest.Text = interesttxtLot order.Text = Lot ordertxtLot ordercost.Text = Lot ordercosttxtLot orderper.Text = Order Cost Per Unittxtmaterials.Text = materialstxtmeal a day.Text = meal a daytxtmk portion.Text = mk portiontxtmk share.Text = mk sharetxtpizza ingredient.Text = pizza ingredienttxtpopulation.Text = populationtxtproduct price.Text = product pricetxtsaftystock.Text = saftystocktxtstartcash.Text = startcashtxttimeordermaterial.Text = timeordermaterialtxtwait capability.Text = waiter capabilitytxtwaiter.Text = waiter
Timer1 Timer Select Case environmentCase 1
If IndustryLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenIndustryLine.BorderColor = vbRedElseIndustryLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 2If Productline.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenProductline.BorderColor = vbRedElseProductline.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 3If EconLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenEconLine.BorderColor = vbRedElseEconLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 4If TechLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenTechLine.BorderColor = vbRedElse
83
TechLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 5If PoliticalLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenPoliticalLine.BorderColor = vbRedElsePoliticalLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 6If LegalLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenLegalLine.BorderColor = vbRedElseLegalLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
Case 7If SocialculLine.BorderColor <> vbRed ThenSocialculLine.BorderColor = vbRedElseSocialculLine.BorderColor = vbBlueEnd If
End Select
Figure A.3. Report Process Structure Chart
ReportProcess
Save Data
GenerateObject
Interfaces
SetObject
Interfaces
PrepareData
UpdateCash
QueryExpenses
CreateRecordset
Objects
Set Revenue& Expenses to
Objects
84
Table A.2. Report Process Modules
Process Item CodeInitialize Data Dim rs As Recordset
Dim child rs As RecordsetDim fld As FieldDim Exprs, detailvarDim amountvar
SaveDatagetmonthlyExpensecash = cash - MonthExpensemainmenu.TimerDay.Interval = 0Set rs = New Recordsetrs.LockType = adLockBatchOptimisticrs CREATE TABLE " &
ADD adVarChar(20) As TopicGroup,((CREATE NEW TABLE"ADD adVarChar(20) As Topic,ADD adVarChar(50) As Name,ADD adSingle As Amount)
RELATE TopicGroup to Topic) As Childamountvar = total sale * product pricers.AddNew Array("TopicGroup, Array("Revenuers.AddNew Array("TopicGroup, Array("Cost And ExpensesSet child rs = rs("Childsumtotal = sumtotal + amountvarchild rs.AddNew Array("Topic", "Name", "Amount, Array("Revenue",
"Sale", amountvar)DBSituation.Recordsets("MonthlyExp.OpenDBSituation.Recordsets("MonthlyExp.RequerySet Exprs = DBSituation.Recordsets("MonthlyExpExprs.MoveFirstDo While Not Exprs.EOFdetailvar = Exprs.Fields("Detailamountvar = Exprs.Fields("Total * -1sumtotal = sumtotal + amountvarchild rs.AddNew Array("Topic", "Name", "Amount, Array("Cost And
Expenses", detailvar, amountvar)Exprs.MoveNextLoopDBSituation.Recordsets("MonthlyExp.CloseSections("Section5.Controls("LmOEq.Caption = Format(startcash ,
currency)startcash = sumtotal + startcashnorder = 0total sale = 0
85
SaveDataSet DataSource = rsSections("Section5.Controls("GT.Caption = Format(sumtotal, currency)Sections("Section5.Controls("LPOEq.Caption = Format(sumtotal,
currency)Sections("Section5.Controls("COEq.Caption = Format(startcash ,
currency)End Sub
Terminate Data Situation.Show
Figure A.4. Situational Simulation Process
SituationalDecision
QuerySituation
GetSituational
Factor
GetSituationalExpense
SetObject
Interfaces
CalculateFactor
Expenses
SetData Variable
Objects
Table A.3. Situational Simulation Modules
Process Item CodesForm Load If business month - 1 > 0 Then
sqlstr = "Select * from situation where situation month =" & businessmonth - 1& "and situation year=" & business year & ";"Set rs = Execute sqlstr base on DBSituationIf rs end of file <> True Or rs before of file <> True ThenShow rs.Fields("Situation answer
End IfEnd Ifsqlstr = "Select * from situation where situation month =" & businessmonth& "and situation year=" & business year & ";"
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Set rs = Execute sqlstr base on DBSituationDo While Not rs end of fileIf rs.Fields("Situation type = "Q" ThenSet objControl = Controls.Add("VB.Label", "obj" + CStr(rs.Fields("number))
Set ObjControl Visible is trueobjControl.Top = 255 * iobjControl.Left = 500countword = Len(rs.Fields("situationdetail )objControl.Width = 5000objControl.Height = 255 * (Round(countword / 70, 0) + 1)i = i + (Round(countword / 70, 0) + 2)objControl.Caption = rs.Fields("situationdetail
Select Case rs.Fields("situation envCase "Industry/Competition"environment = 1Case "Production/Input"environment = 2Case "Economic"environment = 3Case "Technology"environment = 4Case "Political"environment = 4Case "Legal"environment = 6Case "Social/culture"environment = 7Case Elseenvironment = 0
End SelectEnd If
If rs.Fields("Situation type = "A" ThenSet objControl = Controls.Add("VB.optionButton", "obj" +CStr(rs.Fields(“number”))
ObjControl Visible is trueobjControl.Top = 255 * iobjControl.Left = 500objControl.Caption = rs.Fields(“situationdetail”)countword = Len(rs.Fields(“situationdetail”)objControl.Width = 8000objControl.Height = 255 * (Round(countword / 70, 0) + 1)i = i + (Round(countword / 70, 0) + 2)
End Ifrs.MoveNext
Loop
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VScroll1.Min = 0VScroll1 = 0VScroll1.LargeChange = 100 'Arbitary valuesVScroll1.SmallChange = 50VScroll1.Max = ((i * 255) - Height) + VScroll1.Height
Form Unload mainmenu.TimerDay.Interval = temp TimerDaygetchange Dim sqlstr, rs
sqlstr = "Select * from situation factor where situation number=" & n & ";"Set rs = DBSituation.DBSituation.Execute(sqlstr)Do While not rs end of fileIf rs.Fields(operator = "+" Thenrs.Fields("var name ) value = rs.Fields("var name ) value +Val(rs.Fields(var num )ElseIf rs.Fields("operator = "-" Thenrs.Fields(var name ) value = rs.Fields("var name ) value - Val(rs.Fields("varnum )ElseIf rs.Fields(operator = "*" Thenrs.Fields("var name ) value = rs.Fields("var name ) value * Val(rs.Fields(varnum )ElseIf rs.Fields(operator = "/" Thenrs.Fields(var name ) value = rs.Fields("var name ) value / Val(rs.Fields(varnum )End Ifrs.MoveNextLoop' insert base
DBSituation.DBSituation.Execute ("INSERT INTO currentexpense ( Base,Detail, Name, Amount, Event ) SELECT situation expense.Base, situationexpense.Detail, situation expense.Name, situation expense.Amount,'MonthlyExpense' AS Mep From situation expense WHERE (((situationexpense.situation number)=” & CStr(n) & );SaveData
VScroll1 Change For I = 0 To Count – 1Set objControl = Controls(i)If Left(objControl.Name, 3) = "obj" ThenobjControl.Top = -VScroll1 + hh = h + objControl.Height + 255
End IfNext
VScroll1 Scroll Dim i, objControl, hh = 0For i = 0 To Count - 1
Set objControl = Controls(i)If Left(objControl.Name, 3) = "obj" ThenobjControl.Top = -VScroll1
88
h = h + objControl.HeightEnd If
NextGraphic User Interfaces
Table A.4. Main Window
1. A finance frame
2. A productivity frame
3. A market-demand frame
4. CATscanner model
5. Timing frame
*The finance frame contains three text boxes, cash receivable, cash, and credit.
*The productivity frame contains raw materials and product on hand textboxes
*The sale-demand frame contains sales and demand textboxes.
Table A.5. Object Script with Properties
mainmenu - 1VERSION 5.00Begin VB.Form mainmenuBackColor = &H00E0E0E0&Caption = "Model"ClientHeight = 6645ClientLeft = 1425ClientTop = 1470ClientWidth = 9735LinkTopic = "Form1"ScaleHeight = 6645ScaleWidth = 9735Begin VB.Timer Timer1Interval = 100Left = 1920
41
2
3
5
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Top = 3480EndBegin VB.Frame Frame3Caption = "Unit"Height = 855Left = 0TabIndex = 19Top = 2520Width = 2295Begin VB.Label LbDemandTextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Demand"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 23Top = 480Width = 1095EndBegin VB.Label lbSaletextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Sale"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 22Top = 240Width = 1095EndBegin VB.Label lbsalevar
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BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 21Top = 240Width = 975EndBegin VB.Label LbDemandVarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed Singlemainmenu - 2Height = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 20Top = 480Width = 975EndEndBegin VB.Frame Frame2Caption = "Unit"Height = 855Left = 0TabIndex = 14Top = 1560Width = 2295Begin VB.Label lbproductvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 18Top = 480Width = 975EndBegin VB.Label lbmaterialBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 17Top = 240Width = 975EndBegin VB.Label lbproducttextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Production"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25
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Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 16Top = 480Width = 1095EndBegin VB.Label lbmaterialtextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Raw Material"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 15Top = 240Width = 1095EndEndBegin VB.PictureBox Picture1Height = 5775mainmenu - 3Left = 2400Picture = (Bitmap)ScaleHeight = 5715ScaleWidth = 7275TabIndex = 6Top = 0Width = 7335Begin VB.Image Image1Height = 1095Left = 2160Top = 4680Width = 3255
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EndBegin VB.Line SocialculLineBorderWidth = 3X1 = 7080X2 = 3960Y1 = 1560Y2 = 4440EndBegin VB.Line LegalLineBorderWidth = 3X1 = 6120X2 = 3960Y1 = 720Y2 = 4320EndBegin VB.Line PoliticalLineBorderWidth = 3X1 = 5280X2 = 3960Y1 = 600Y2 = 4320EndBegin VB.Line TechLineBorderStyle = 2 'DashBorderWidth = 3X1 = 4680X2 = 3960Y1 = 1560Y2 = 4320EndBegin VB.Line EconLineBorderStyle = 2 'DashBorderWidth = 3X1 = 2040X2 = 3720Y1 = 720Y2 = 4440EndBegin VB.Line IndustryLineBorderColor = &H00404040&BorderWidth = 3X1 = 480X2 = 3600Y1 = 1680Y2 = 4200End
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Begin VB.Line ProductlineBorderStyle = 2 'DashBorderWidth = 3X1 = 1440X2 = 3600Y1 = 840Y2 = 4200EndEndBegin VB.Timer TimerDayInterval = 100mainmenu - 4Left = 1440Top = 0EndBegin VB.Frame Frame1Caption = "$$$"Height = 1095Left = 0TabIndex = 7Top = 360Width = 2295Begin VB.Label LbreceivevarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 13Top = 240Width = 975EndBegin VB.Label LbpayvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleForeColor = &H000000FF&Height = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 12Top = 720Width = 975EndBegin VB.Label LbcashvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 1200TabIndex = 11Top = 480Width = 975
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EndBegin VB.Label LbreceiveBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Recievable"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 10Top = 240Width = 1095EndBegin VB.Label lbpayBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Credit"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 9Top = 720mainmenu - 5Width = 1095EndBegin VB.Label lbcashBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Cash"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700
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Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 8Top = 480Width = 1095EndEndBegin VB.Label lbdaytextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Day"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 8040TabIndex = 5Top = 5760Width = 615EndBegin VB.Label LbdayvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 8640TabIndex = 4Top = 5760Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label lbyeartextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Year"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'False
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Italic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 8040TabIndex = 3Top = 6240Width = 615EndBegin VB.Label lbyearvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 8640mainmenu - 6TabIndex = 2Top = 6240Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label lbmonthtextBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Month"BeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyHeight = 255Left = 8040TabIndex = 1Top = 6000Width = 615EndBegin VB.Label LbmonthvarBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleHeight = 255Left = 8640TabIndex = 0Top = 6000Width = 855EndEnd
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Figure A.5. CATscannse Model
Table A.6. Monitoring Factors Window
1. Green color frame represents demand
factors.
2. Gray color frame represents production
factor.
3. Blue color frame represents inventory
factors.
4. Red color frame represents sale and
marketing factors.
5. Yellow color represents financial factors.
98
* The first frame contains population, meal a day and market share and market
portion factor of the restaurant.
* The second frame contains a number of chefs in the restaurant, chefs’ ability in
cooking per hours, machine to beak pizza, and machine’s ability to beak pizzas per hours,
Pizza ingredient and, unit of materials in inventory.
* The third frame contains the number of materials ordered in one time, materials’
cost in that order, Cost of ordering such as transportation, period of order materials, and
quantity of materials for safety stock.
* The forth frame contains number of waiter in the restaurant, waiter’s ability to
serve pizzas per hours, number of delivery man, delivery man’s ability per hours, product
price, percentage of customer pay by check and percentage of customer pay by cash.
* The fifth frame contains the number of cash on the first day of that month, the
period to cash check, the period to transaction credit, interest and minimum cash on hand
policy.
Table A.7. Object Script and properties
Form1 - 1VERSION 5.00Begin VB.Form Form1Caption = "Monitoring factors"ClientHeight = 4875ClientLeft = 60ClientTop = 345ClientWidth = 5655LinkTopic = "Form1"ScaleHeight = 4875ScaleWidth = 5655StartUpPosition = 3 'Windows DefaultBegin VB.Frame Frame4Caption = "Financial"Height = 1575Left = 2760TabIndex = 8
99
Top = 2040Width = 2895Begin VB.TextBox txtcashsaftyEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 58Top = 1200Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtinterestEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 57Top = 960Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtcredit transfer periodEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 56Top = 720Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtcheck transfer periodEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 55Top = 480Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtstartcashEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 54Top = 240Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label Label20BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "starting cash"Height = 255
100
Left = 120TabIndex = 14Top = 240Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label17BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleForm1 - 2Caption = "interest"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 12Top = 960Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label16BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "credit transfer period"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 11Top = 720Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label14BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "cashsafety"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 10Top = 1200Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label15BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "check transfer period"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 9Top = 480Width = 1815EndEndBegin VB.Frame PurchaseCaption = "Purchase materials"Height = 1575
101
Left = 0TabIndex = 6Top = 3120Width = 2655Begin VB.TextBox txtsaftystockEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 35Top = 1200Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txttimeordermaterialEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 34Top = 960Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtLot orderperEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 33Top = 720Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtLot ordercostEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Form1 - 3Left = 1680TabIndex = 32Top = 480Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtLot orderEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 31Top = 240Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label Label27
102
BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Lot order"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 30Top = 240Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label18BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Lot ordercost"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 29Top = 480Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label25BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "SaftyStock"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 18Top = 1200Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label19BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Order Cost Per Unit"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 13Top = 720Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label11BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "TimeOrderMaterial"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 7Top = 960Width = 1575EndEndBegin VB.Frame Frame3
103
Caption = "Sale & Marketing"Height = 2055Left = 2760TabIndex = 2Top = 0Width = 2895Begin VB.TextBox txtcash sale percentageEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Form1 - 4Left = 1920TabIndex = 46Top = 1680Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtcheck sale percentageEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 45Top = 1440Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtproduct priceEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 44Top = 1200Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtdelivery capabilityEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 43Top = 960Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtdelivery manEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 42Top = 720Width = 855
104
EndBegin VB.TextBox txtwait capabilityEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 41Top = 480Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtwaiterEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1920TabIndex = 40Top = 240Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label Label2BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "waiter"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 53Top = 240Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label3BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "delivery man"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 52Top = 720Form1 - 5Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label4BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "waiter capability"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 51Top = 480Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label5
105
BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "delivery capability"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 50Top = 960Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label26BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Product price"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 49Top = 1200Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label12BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "check sale percentage"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 48Top = 1440Width = 1815EndBegin VB.Label Label13BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "cash sale percentage"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 47Top = 1680Width = 1815EndEndBegin VB.Frame Frame2Caption = "Production"Height = 1815Left = 0TabIndex = 1Top = 1320Width = 2655Begin VB.TextBox txtmaterialsEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285
106
Left = 1680TabIndex = 22Top = 1440Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtpizza ingredientEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 21Top = 1200Form1 - 6Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtequipment capabilityEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 20Top = 960Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtequipmentEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 19Top = 720Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtchef capabilityEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 17Top = 480Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtchefEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 16Top = 240Width = 855End
107
Begin VB.Label Label1BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "chef"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 28Top = 240Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label6BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "equipment"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 27Top = 720Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label7BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "pizza ingredient"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 26Top = 1200Width = 1695EndBegin VB.Label Label8BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "chef capability"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 25Top = 480Width = 1695Form1 - 7EndBegin VB.Label Label9BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "materials"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 24Top = 1440Width = 1575End
108
Begin VB.Label Label10BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "equipment capability"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 23Top = 960Width = 1575EndEndBegin VB.Frame Frame1Caption = "Demand"Height = 1335Left = 0TabIndex = 0Top = 0Width = 2655Begin VB.TextBox txtmk portionEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 39Top = 960Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtmk shareEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 38Top = 720Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtmeal a dayEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 37Top = 480Width = 855EndBegin VB.TextBox txtpopulationEnabled = 0 'FalseHeight = 285Left = 1680TabIndex = 36
109
Top = 240Width = 855EndBegin VB.Label Label23BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "mk portion"Height = 285Left = 120TabIndex = 15Top = 960Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label22Form1 - 8BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "meal a day"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 5Top = 480Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label21BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "population"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 4Top = 240Width = 1575EndBegin VB.Label Label24BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "mk share"Height = 255Left = 120TabIndex = 3Top = 720Width = 1575EndEndEnd
110
Figure A.6. Monitoring Factor Window
111
Table A.8. Report statements
1. Green color area is monthly income
statement
2. Blue color is Statement of Owner
Equity
*The first statement contains revenue item and expense items form business
operation the different of those summation will show net profit or net loss.
*The second statement contains retain earning number the restaurant.
Table A.9. Object script and properties
DataReport – 1VERSION 5.00Begin {78E93846-85FD-11D0-8487-00A0C90DC8A9} DataReportCaption = "DataReport"ClientHeight = 6975ClientLeft = 165ClientTop = 450ClientWidth = 10845StartUpPosition = 3 'Windows DefaultExtentX = 19129ExtentY = 12303Version = 393216DesignerVersion= 100685828
ReportWidth = 8775BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25
112
Charset = 0Weight = 400Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyGridX = 10GridY = 10LeftMargin = 1440RightMargin = 1440TopMargin = 1000BottomMargin = 1140NumSections = 7SectionCode0 = 1BeginProperty Section0 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Section4"NumControls = 0EndPropertySectionCode1 = 2BeginProperty Section1 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Section2"Object.Height = 555NumControls = 2ItemType0 = 3BeginProperty Item0 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label1"Object.Left = 2592Object.Width = 3312Object.Height = 432BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 18Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyObject.Caption = "Income Statement"EndPropertyItemType1 = 5BeginProperty Item1 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
113
Name = "Line3"Object.Top = 432Object.Width = 8352EndPropertyEndPropertySectionCode2 = 3BeginProperty Section2 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}DataReport - 2Version = 393216
Name = "Section6"Object.Height = 300NumControls = 1ItemType0 = 4BeginProperty Item0 {1C13A8E2-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "LrpTopic"Object.Left = 864Object.Width = 2880Object.Height = 285BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyDataField = "TopicGroup"BeginProperty DataFormat {6D835690-900B-11D0-9484-00A0C91110ED}Type = 0Format = ""HaveTrueFalseNull= 0FirstDayOfWeek = 0FirstWeekOfYear = 0LCID = 1033SubFormatType = 0EndPropertyEndPropertyEndPropertySectionCode3 = 4BeginProperty Section3 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Section1"Object.Height = 288NumControls = 2
114
ItemType0 = 4BeginProperty Item0 {1C13A8E2-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Text1"Object.Left = 1440Object.Width = 2160Object.Height = 288BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyDataField = "Name"BeginProperty DataFormat {6D835690-900B-11D0-9484-00A0C91110ED}Type = 0Format = ""HaveTrueFalseNull= 0FirstDayOfWeek = 0FirstWeekOfYear = 0LCID = 1033SubFormatType = 0EndPropertyDataMember = "Child"EndPropertyItemType1 = 4BeginProperty Item1 {1C13A8E2-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
DataReport - 3Name = "Text2"Object.Left = 4464Object.Width = 1290Object.Height = 285BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyDataField = "Amount"
115
BeginProperty DataFormat {6D835690-900B-11D0-9484-00A0C91110ED}Type = 1Format = """$""#,##0.00;(""$""#,##0.00)"HaveTrueFalseNull= 0FirstDayOfWeek = 0FirstWeekOfYear = 0LCID = 1033SubFormatType = 2EndPropertyDataMember = "Child"EndPropertyEndPropertySectionCode4 = 5BeginProperty Section4 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Section7"Object.Height = 288NumControls = 2ItemType0 = 13BeginProperty Item0 {49FF6930-2B8C-11D1-8DA9-00A0C90FFFC2}Version = 393216
Name = "Function1"Object.Left = 5616Object.Width = 1584Object.Height = 285BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyDataField = "Amount"BeginProperty DataFormat {6D835690-900B-11D0-9484-00A0C91110ED}Type = 1Format = """$""#,##0.00;(""$""#,##0.00)"HaveTrueFalseNull= 0FirstDayOfWeek = 0FirstWeekOfYear = 0LCID = 1033SubFormatType = 2EndPropertyDataMember = "child"EndProperty
116
ItemType1 = 5BeginProperty Item1 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line1"Object.Width = 8352EndPropertyEndPropertySectionCode5 = 7BeginProperty Section5 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}DataReport - 4Version = 393216
Name = "Section3"NumControls = 0EndPropertySectionCode6 = 8BeginProperty Section6 {1C13A8E0-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Section5"Object.Height = 2859NumControls = 14ItemType0 = 3BeginProperty Item0 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label2"Object.Left = 432Object.Width = 2295Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyObject.Caption = "(Lost) Profit"EndPropertyItemType1 = 3BeginProperty Item1 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "GT"Object.Left = 7056Object.Width = 1155Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}
117
Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyEndPropertyItemType2 = 5BeginProperty Item2 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line2"Object.Width = 8355EndPropertyItemType3 = 5BeginProperty Item3 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line4"Object.Top = 432Object.Width = 8355EndPropertyItemType4 = 3BeginProperty Item4 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label3"Object.Left = 1872Object.Top = 720Object.Width = 5184Object.Height = 435BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 18DataReport - 5Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyObject.Caption = "Statement Of Owner's Equity"EndPropertyItemType5 = 5BeginProperty Item5 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line5"
118
Object.Top = 1152Object.Width = 8355EndPropertyItemType6 = 3BeginProperty Item6 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label4"Object.Left = 1440Object.Top = 1296Object.Width = 2295Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyObject.Caption = "Last month earning"EndPropertyItemType7 = 3BeginProperty Item7 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label5"Object.Left = 1440Object.Top = 1728Object.Width = 2295Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyObject.Caption = "(Lost) Profit"EndPropertyItemType8 = 3BeginProperty Item8 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Label6"Object.Left = 1440
119
Object.Top = 2304Object.Width = 2295Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseDataReport - 6EndPropertyObject.Caption = "Current earning"EndPropertyItemType9 = 5BeginProperty Item9 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line6"Object.Top = 2160Object.Width = 8355EndPropertyItemType10 = 5BeginProperty Item10 {1C13A8E3-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "Line7"Object.Top = 2736Object.Width = 8355EndPropertyItemType11 = 3BeginProperty Item11 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "LmOeq"Object.Left = 5616Object.Top = 1296Object.Width = 1155Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndProperty
120
EndPropertyItemType12 = 3BeginProperty Item12 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "LPOEq"Object.Left = 5616Object.Top = 1728Object.Width = 1155Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyEndPropertyItemType13 = 3BeginProperty Item13 {1C13A8E1-A0B6-11D0-848E-00A0C90DC8A9}Version = 393216
Name = "COEq"Object.Left = 7056Object.Top = 2304Object.Width = 1155Object.Height = 300BeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "Arial"Size = 8.25Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseDataReport - 7EndPropertyEndPropertyEndPropertyEnd
121
Figure A.7. Statements Report Window
Table A.10. Situational Decision Window
1. The situation detail
2. Alternative of situations
3. Selection button
1
2
3
122
* The situation detail is text box containing description of business situation.
* The alternative situation is a set option choice of strategic planning to dual with
the situation.
Table A.11 Object Script and Properties
Situation – 1VERSION 5.00Object = "{831FDD16-0C5C-11D2-A9FC-0000F8754DA1}#2.0#0";"MSCOMCTL.OCX"Begin VB.Form SituationBorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Situation"ClientHeight = 4920ClientLeft = 4995ClientTop = 3090ClientWidth = 8415ControlBox = 0 'FalseBeginProperty FontName = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 400Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyLinkTopic = "Form1"MaxButton = 0 'FalseMinButton = 0 'FalseScaleHeight = 4920ScaleWidth = 8415Begin VB.VScrollBar VScroll1Height = 4455Left = 8160TabIndex = 2Top = 0Width = 255EndBegin MSComctlLib.StatusBar StatusBar1Align = 2 'Align BottomHeight = 375Left = 0TabIndex = 1
123
Top = 4545Width = 8415ExtentX = 14843ExtentY = 661Version = 393216
BeginProperty Panels {8E3867A5-8586-11D1-B16A-00C0F0283628}NumPanels = 1BeginProperty Panel1 {8E3867AB-8586-11D1-B16A-00C0F0283628}Object.Width = 8819MinWidth = 8819Text = "Please Choose one Alternative"TextSave = "Please Choose one Alternative"EndPropertyEndPropertyBeginProperty Font {0BE35203-8F91-11CE-9DE3-00AA004BB851}Name = "MS Sans Serif"Size = 9.75Charset = 0Weight = 700Underline = 0 'FalseItalic = 0 'FalseStrikethrough = 0 'FalseEndPropertyOLEDropMode = 1EndBegin VB.CommandButton Command1Caption = "Ok"Height = 495Left = 6960TabIndex = 0Top = 3960Width = 1215EndSituation - 2End
Figure A.8. Situation Window
124
B. Analysis and Design Section 2: Situation Simulation
Structure Chart and Codes
Figure A.9. Situation Simulation: Data Flow Diagram
Request Get Query
Control Situational series
Control Situational Factors
Control Situational Expense
Add Situational series Update Situational series Delete Situational series
Add Situational Factors
Update Situational Factors
Delete Situational Factors
Add Situational Expense
Update Situational Expense
Delete Situational Expense
Situation Series Situation Factors Situation Expense
Table A.12. Situation Simulation Modules
Process Item CodeGet Query Dim rs, db
Set db = DBSituation.DBSituation
125
'db.OpenSet rs = db.Execute("select * from factors where Type ='ch';rs.MoveFirstDo While Not rs.EOF' ComboFactor.AddItem rs.Fields("var namers.MoveNext
Loopload factorsload Expense
Control Situational Series 'Data.RefreshIf TxtSerialType.Text = "Q" ThentxtAnswer.Visible = TrueElsetxtAnswer.Visible = FalseEnd IfData.Caption = "Series " & CStr(Data.Recordset.AbsolutePosition + 1)load factorsload Expense
Control Situational Factor Dim db, strsql, rs, iSet db = DBSituation.DBSituationIf Data.Recordset.AbsolutePosition = -1 Then Data.Recordset.MoveLaststrsql = "select * from situation factor where situation number = " &Data.Recordset("situation numberSet rs = db.Execute(strsql)
If ListofFactors.ListCount > 0 ThenListofFactors.Clear
End If
Do While Not rs.EOFListofFactors.AddItem rs.Fields("var name & " " & rs.Fields("operator
& " " & rs.Fields("var numrs.MoveNext
LoopControl Situational Expense Dim db, strsql, rs, i
Set db = DBSituation.DBSituationIf Data.Recordset.AbsolutePosition = -1 Then Data.Recordset.MoveLaststrsql = "select * from situation Expense where situation number = " &Data.Recordset("situation numberSet rs = db.Execute(strsql)
If ListExpense.ListCount > 0 ThenListExpense.Clear
End If
Do While Not rs.EOF
126
ListExpense.AddItem rs.Fields("detail & " = " & rs.Fields("Amount& " * " & rs.Fields("Basers.MoveNext
LoopAdd Situational Series Dim newnum
If Data.Recordset.RecordCount <> 0 ThenData.Recordset.MoveLastnewnum = Data.Recordset("number + 1Data.Recordset.AddNewData.Recordset("number = newnumData.Recordset.UpdateData.Recordset.MoveLastData.Caption = "Series " & CStr(Data.Recordset.RecordCount)ElseData.Recordset.AddNewData.Recordset("number = 1Data.Recordset.UpdateData.Recordset.MoveLastEnd If
Edit Situational Series If Data.Recordset.RecordCount <> 0 ThenData.Recordset.EditData.Recordset.UpdateEnd If
Delete Situational Series If Data.Recordset.RecordCount <> 0 ThenDBSituation.DBSituation.Execute ("delete * from situation factor wheresituation number=" + CStr(Data.Recordset("Number ) + ";DBSituation.DBSituation.Execute ("delete * from situation expensewhere situation number=" + CStr(Data.Recordset("Number ) + ";Data.Recordset.DeleteIf Data.Recordset.RecordCount = Data.Recordset.AbsolutePosition + 1ThenData.Recordset.MovePreviousElseData.Recordset.MoveNextEnd IfEnd If
Add Situational Factor frmFactors.ShowfrmFactors.ZOrderfrmFactors.Caption = "Insert Factor"….….If Caption = "Insert Factor" ThenfrmSeries.ListofFactors.AddItem ComboFactor.Text + " " +ComboListOp.Text + " " + txtvalue.TextSet db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "INSERT INTO situation factor(situation number,var
127
name,operator,var num) values('" & frmSeries.Data.Recordset("situationnumber & "','" & ComboFactor.Text & "','" & ComboListOp.Text &"','" & txtvalue.Text & "');"db.Execute (strsql)End If
Edit Situational Factor frmFactors.ShowfrmFactors.ZOrderfrmFactors.Caption = "Update Factor"….….If Caption = "Update Factor" ThenIf frmSeries.ListofFactors.ListIndex <> -1 ThenfrmSeries.ListofFactors.RemoveItem(frmSeries.ListofFactors.ListIndex)frmSeries.ListofFactors.AddItem frmFactors.ComboFactor.Text + " " +frmFactors.ComboListOp.Text + " " + frmFactors.txtvalue.TextSet db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "INSERT INTO situation factor(situation number,varname,operator,var num) values('" & frmSeries.Data.Recordset("situationnumber & "','" & ComboFactor.Text & "','" & ComboListOp.Text &"','" & txtvalue.Text & "');"db.Execute (strsql)'db.RefreshElseMsgBox "Please select factor"End IfEnd If
Delete Situational Factor frmFactors.ShowfrmFactors.ZOrderfrmFactors.Caption = "Delete Factor"….….If Caption = "Delete Factor" ThenIf frmSeries.ListofFactors.ListIndex <> -1 ThenfrmSeries.ListofFactors.RemoveItem(frmSeries.ListofFactors.ListIndex)Set db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "Delete * from situation factor where (situation number =" &frmSeries.Data.Recordset("situation number & and (var name='" &ComboFactor.Text & "') and (operator='" & ComboListOp.Text & "')and (var num='" & txtvalue.Text & "')"Set rs = db.Execute(strsql)ElseMsgBox "Please select factor"End IfEnd If
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Add Situational Expense frmExpense.ShowfrmExpense.ZOrderfrmExpense.Caption = "Insert Expense"….….If Caption = "Insert Expense" ThenfrmSeries.ListExpense.AddItem txtDetail.Text + " = " + txtvalue.Text+ " * " + ComboFactor.TextSet db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "INSERT INTO situation expense(situationnumber,Detail,Amount,base) values('" &frmSeries.Data.Recordset("number & "','" & txtDetail.Text & "'," &txtvalue.Text & ",'" & ComboFactor.Text & "');"db.Execute (strsql)End If
Edit Situational Expense frmExpense.ShowfrmExpense.ZOrderfrmExpense.Caption = "Update Expense"….….If Caption = "Update Expense" ThenIf frmSeries.ListExpense.ListIndex <> -1 ThenfrmSeries.ListExpense.RemoveItem (frmSeries.ListExpense.ListIndex)frmSeries.ListExpense.AddItem txtDetail.Text + " = " + txtvalue.Text+ " * " + ComboFactor.TextSet db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "INSERT INTO situation expense(situationnumber,Detail,Amount,base) values('" &frmSeries.Data.Recordset("situation number & "','" & txtDetail.Text &"'," & txtvalue.Text & ",'" & ComboFactor.Text & "');"db.Execute (strsql)'db.RefreshElseMsgBox "Please select factor"End IfEnd If
Delete Situational Expense frmExpense.ShowfrmExpense.ZOrderfrmExpense.Caption = "Delete Expense"….….If Caption = "Delete Expense" ThenIf frmSeries.ListExpense.ListIndex <> -1 ThenfrmSeries.ListExpense.RemoveItem (frmSeries.ListExpense.ListIndex)Set db = DBSituation.DBSituationstrsql = "Delete * from situation Expense where (situation number =" &
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frmSeries.Data.Recordset("number & and (Base='" &ComboFactor.Text & "') and (Detail='" & txtDetail.Text & "') and(Amount=" & txtvalue.Text & "Set rs = db.Execute(strsql)ElseMsgBox "Please select factor"End IfEnd If
Graphic User Interfaces
Table A.13.Situational Series Window
11
1
10
3 4 5
7 8 9
2
6
1. The gray color area in
number 1 and 10
contain situation series’
fields.
2. The green color area
contain situational
factor and object
interfaces control
3. The yellow color area
contain situational
expense and object
interface control
4. The white color area are
the situational series
record control and
object interfaces
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control.
* The first area is consisted of text box and combo boxes that are the details of
situational series
*The second area is consisted of: 2 as a list box, 3 4, and 5 as the button box
*The third area is consisted of 6 as a list box, 7, 8, and 9 as the button box
*The last area is consisted of record control object and button boxes.
Table A.14.Object Script and properties
VERSION 5.00Begin VB.Form frmSeries
BorderStyle = 1 'Fixed SingleCaption = "Series"ClientHeight = 8805ClientLeft = 1860ClientTop = 1665ClientWidth = 6675ControlBox = 0 'FalseLinkTopic = "Form1"MaxButton = 0 'FalseMDIChild = -1 'TrueMinButton = 0 'FalseScaleHeight = 8805ScaleWidth = 6675Begin VB.Frame Frame3
Caption = "Answer"Height = 975Left = 0TabIndex = 27Top = 7080Width = 6375Begin VB.TextBox txtAnswer
DataField = "situation answer"DataSource = "Data"Height = 615Left = 120TabIndex = 28Top = 240Width = 6135
End
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EndBegin VB.ComboBox Comboenv
DataField = "Situation env"DataSource = "Data"Height = 315Left = 1560TabIndex = 25Top = 1320Width = 1335
EndBegin VB.Frame Frame2
Caption = "Schedule"Height = 615Left = 3000TabIndex = 20Top = 960Width = 3255Begin VB.TextBox Text3
DataField = "situation year"DataSource = "Data"Height = 285Left = 2280TabIndex = 24Top = 240Width = 855
EndBegin VB.TextBox Text2
DataField = "situation month"DataSource = "Data"Height = 285Left = 720TabIndex = 21Top = 240Width = 855
EndBegin VB.Label Label3
Caption = "Year"Height = 255Left = 1800TabIndex = 23Top = 240Width = 495
EndBegin VB.Label Label2
Caption = "Month"Height = 255
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Left = 120TabIndex = 22Top = 240Width = 495
EndEndBegin VB.TextBox TxtSerialType
DataField = "Situation Type"DataSource = "Data"Height = 285Left = 1560TabIndex = 18Top = 960Width = 1335
EndBegin VB.Frame Frame1
Caption = "Expenses"Height = 2655Left = 0TabIndex = 9Top = 4440Width = 6375Begin VB.CommandButton CmdDelExpense
Caption = "Delete Expense"Height = 375Left = 4920TabIndex = 17Top = 2160Width = 1335
EndBegin VB.CommandButton CmdUpdateExpense
Caption = "Update Expense"Height = 375Left = 2520TabIndex = 16Top = 2160Width = 1335
EndBegin VB.CommandButton CmdAddExpense
Caption = "Add Expense"Height = 375Left = 120TabIndex = 15Top = 2160Width = 1215
End
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Begin VB.TextBox TxtexoExpenseHeight = 1815Left = 3960TabIndex = 11Top = 240Width = 2295
EndBegin VB.ListBox ListExpense
Height = 1815Left = 120TabIndex = 10Top = 240Width = 3855
EndEndBegin VB.Frame FrameFactor
Caption = "Factors"Height = 2655Left = 0TabIndex = 6Top = 1680Width = 6375Begin VB.CommandButton cmdaddfactor
Caption = "Add Factor"Height = 375Left = 120TabIndex = 14Top = 2160Width = 1215
EndBegin VB.CommandButton delfactor
Caption = "Delete Factor"Height = 375Left = 5040TabIndex = 13Top = 2160Width = 1215
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdupdatefactor
Caption = "Update Factor"Height = 375Left = 2760TabIndex = 12Top = 2160Width = 1215
End
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Begin VB.TextBox txtexpFactorHeight = 1815Left = 3960TabIndex = 8Top = 240Width = 2295
EndBegin VB.ListBox ListofFactors
DataMember = "Situation Factors"DataSource = "DBSituation"Height = 1815Left = 120TabIndex = 7Top = 240Width = 3855
EndEndBegin VB.PictureBox picButtons
Align = 2 'Align BottomAppearance = 0 'FlatBorderStyle = 0 'NoneForeColor = &H80000008&Height = 660Left = 0ScaleHeight = 660ScaleWidth = 6675TabIndex = 1Top = 8145Width = 6675Begin VB.Data Data
Caption = "Data1"Connect = "Access 2000;"DatabaseName = "C:\thesis\base.mdb"DefaultCursorType= 0 'DefaultCursorDefaultType = 2 'UseODBCExclusive = 0 'FalseHeight = 375Left = 360Options = 0ReadOnly = 0 'FalseRecordsetType = 1 'DynasetRecordSource = "situation"Top = 0Width = 5415
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdRefresh
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Caption = "&Refresh"Height = 300Left = 3600TabIndex = 5Top = 360Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdDelete
Caption = "&Delete"Height = 300Left = 2520TabIndex = 4Top = 360Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdUpdate
Caption = "&Update"Height = 300Left = 1440TabIndex = 3Top = 360Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdAdd
Caption = "&Add"Height = 300Left = 360TabIndex = 2Top = 360Width = 1095
EndEndBegin VB.TextBox TxtSituation
DataField = "SituationDetail"DataSource = "Data"Height = 855Left = 0MultiLine = -1 'TrueScrollBars = 2 'VerticalTabIndex = 0Top = 0Width = 6375
EndBegin VB.Label Label4
Caption = "External Environment"Height = 375
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Left = 0TabIndex = 26Top = 1320Width = 1575
EndBegin VB.Label Label1
Caption = "SeriesType"Height = 255Left = 0TabIndex = 19Top = 960Width = 1095
EndEnd
Figure A.10. Situation Series Window
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Table A.15. Situational Factor Window
34
1
2
1. The mathematical
function area of
situational factor.
2. The description of the
138
business factor
3. 3 and 4 are the object
interfaces
* The first and areas are details, which are in text boxes and combo box, of
situational factor.
* The third and fourth areas are button boxes.
Table A. 16. Object Script and properties
VERSION 5.00Begin VB.Form frmExpense
Caption = "Expense"ClientHeight = 1515ClientLeft = 60ClientTop = 345ClientWidth = 5115ControlBox = 0 'FalseLinkTopic = "Form"MDIChild = -1 'TrueScaleHeight = 1515ScaleWidth = 5115Begin VB.CommandButton cmdOK
Caption = "OK"Height = 315Left = 3840TabIndex = 7Top = 240Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdcancel
Caption = "Cancel"Height = 315Left = 3840TabIndex = 6Top = 600Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.TextBox txtDetail
Height = 735Left = 840
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TabIndex = 2Top = 360Width = 2775
EndBegin VB.TextBox txtvalue
Height = 315Left = 840TabIndex = 1Top = 1080Width = 855
EndBegin VB.ComboBox ComboFactor
Height = 315Left = 840TabIndex = 0Top = 0Width = 1815
EndBegin VB.Label Label3
Caption = "Value"Height = 255Left = 0TabIndex = 5Top = 1080Width = 855
EndBegin VB.Label Label2
Caption = "Detail"Height = 255Left = 0TabIndex = 4Top = 360Width = 855
EndBegin VB.Label Label1
Caption = "Base"Height = 255Left = 0TabIndex = 3Top = 0Width = 855
EndEnd
Figure A.11. Situation Factor Window
140
Table A.17. Situational Expense Window
23
1
1. The mathematical
function area of
situational expense.
2. 2 and 3 are the object
interface control
*The first area is text boxes and combo box which
* The number 2 and 3 are button boxes
Table A.18. Object Script and properties
VERSION 5.00Begin VB.Form frmFactors
Caption = "factor"ClientHeight = 1410ClientLeft = 60ClientTop = 345ClientWidth = 5070ControlBox = 0 'FalseLinkTopic = "Form1"MDIChild = -1 'TrueScaleHeight = 1410ScaleWidth = 5070Begin VB.TextBox txtExp
Height = 975Left = 0TabIndex = 5Top = 360
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Width = 3855EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdcancel
Caption = "Cancel"Height = 315Left = 3960TabIndex = 4Top = 480Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.CommandButton cmdOK
Caption = "OK"Height = 315Left = 3960TabIndex = 3Top = 120Width = 1095
EndBegin VB.TextBox txtvalue
Height = 315Left = 3000TabIndex = 2Top = 0Width = 855
EndBegin VB.ComboBox ComboListOp
Height = 315Left = 2280TabIndex = 1Top = 0Width = 735
EndBegin VB.ComboBox ComboFactor
Height = 315Left = 0TabIndex = 0Top = 0Width = 2295
EndEnd
Figure A.12. Situation Expense Window
142
143
C. Database Analysis
Database Object
Table A.19. SQL Command in The Data Object
Connection SQL Command
Factors Select * From Currentdata;Situation Factor Select * From Situation;Situation Select * from situation factor;MonthlyExp Select * from situation expense
DataBase Tables’ Structure
Table A.20. The Structure of CurrentFactor
CurrentFactor
Field Name Type Description
Event Text Identify process module of factor.
Name Text Identify name of factor
Value Number Value of the factor
Type Text Identify type of factor if it changeable or calculated
Desc Text Description of the factor
Table A.21. The Structure of Situation
Situation
Field Name Type Description
Number Number Identify situation series
SituationDetail Memo Describe of the situation
Situation Type Text Situation Type as Question or Answer
Situation env Text Business environment that situation is in
Situation month Number The scheduling month in the game, the number identify whichmonth the situation is
Situation year Number The scheduling year in the game, the number identify whichyear the situation is
Situation answer Memo Text describe the best alternative in the situation
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Table A.22. The Structure of Expense
Situation Expense
Field Name Type Description
Situation number Number Identify the situation cause impacted factor
Base Text A factors base of expense, referring to factor’s value
Detail Text Describe of expense
Amount Number Expense value for item per base factor
Table A.23. The Structure of Situation Factors
Situation Factor
Field Name Type Description
Situation number Number Identify the situation cause impacted factor
Var name Text A factor for situation impact
Operation Text Symbol of operation the factor such as subtract
Amount Number The number to operate to factor and give value to that factor
Table A.24. The Structure of ExpenseBase
ExpenseBase
Field Name Type Description
Base Text A factors base of expense referring to factor’s value
Event Text Event process calculated factor
Name Text Process expense name
Detail Text Expense text detail
Amount Number Expense value
Table A.25 The Structure of CurrentExpense
CurrentExpense
Field Name Type Description
Base Text A factors base of expense referring to factor’s value
Event Text Event process calculated factor
Name Text Process expense name
Detail Text Expense text detail
Amount Number Expense value
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Table A.26. Database Relationship
• There are two
relationship from
situation table
• A situation can have
many impacted factors.
• A situation can have
many expenses
• The Factor table is
mapped to data object
variable.
• Situation factor table is a
child table from Situation
table.
• The situation factor has a
join relation with data
object variable
NumberSituation DetailSituation Type
Situation MonthSituation year
Situation answer
NumberSituation DetailSituation Type
Situation MonthSituation year
Situation answer
Situation numberVar_nameoperatorVar_num
Situation numberVar_nameoperatorVar_num
BaseEventNameDetail
Amount
Situation numberBaseEventNameDetail
Amount
Situation number
Situation Situation factor
Situation Expense
Situation Factor
Factor
O (Factor)
EventNameValueTypeDesc
Situation numberVar_nameOperatorAmount
numberSituation
Situation DetailSituation TypeSituation env
Situation monthSituation year
Situation answer
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• There are relationships
among three tables.
• The current expense table
is the result of joining
between situation expense
and expense base.
• The situation expense is
linked to the parented
table where situation
month field equates
simulation month in the
game.
Situation Expense
Expense Base
Current Expense
Situation numberBaseDetail
Amount
BaseEventNameDetail
Amount
BaseEventNameDetail
Amount
numberSituation
Situation DetailSituation TypeSituation env
Situation monthSituation year
Situation answer
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D. User Manual.
Table A.27. Student Manual
StudentsInstall
1. Double click on CD drive where The Simulation Game’s CD has been inserted2. Double click on the folder “The Simulation Game”3. Run “Setup.exe” file (double click on “Setup.exe”)
Running the Simulation Game1. Before playing, make sure that you copy “base.mdb” from an instructor to the
folder that contains the game application (for example checking on “c:\ProgramFiles\The Simulation Game”). The original “base.mdb” file will be included in theinstalled CD.
2. Go to Window “Start” bar, “Programs” and “The Simulation Game”3. Run “The Simulation Game”4. Wait for the simulation game routine run for a month and get the monthly report
and situational simulation for next month.5. Select the base alternative for next month situation and close the situation window
to continuously run the game
* The goal of the game is the make a managerial knowledge to select the base alternativefor each month situation.
* Tip of playing the simulation game is to click on the CATscanner model’s internalenvironment and observes the factors’ variables.
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Table A.28. Instructor Manual
InstructorsInstall
1. Double click on CD drive where The Simulation Game’s CD has been inserted2. Double click on the folder “The Situational Simulation”3. Run “Setup.exe” file (double click on “Setup.exe”)
Running the Situational Simulation1. Before running, make sure that you have “base.mdb” on the folder that contains
the application (for example checking on c:\Program Files\The SituationalSimulation”). The original “base.mdb” file will be included in the installed CD.
2. Go to Window “Start” bar, “Programs” and “The Situational Simulation”3. Run “The Simulation Game”
*The user can use the recordset object go to any situation record and follow thecontrolling situation direction.
Controlling SituationCreate Situation
1. Click “Add” button on the bottom of the window to add the new record situation’srecord.
2. Add data into the text boxes.3. Insert data on the window and click “Update” button on the bottom of the
window.Update Situation
1. Go to the record that you want to change the data.2. Go to a text box area to change data3. Click “Update” button on the button of the window
Delete Situation1. Go to the record that you want to delete2. Click “Delete” button on the button of the window.
Create Factor in The Situation1. In the factor section, Click the “Add factor”2. After “Insert Factor” window pop-upped, Insert the data to text boxes3. Click “OK” to confirm the inserted data or “Cancel” to not save the data.
Update Factor in The Situation1. Select the factor item in the factor list box that you want to edit data2. In the factor section, click the “Update factor”3. After “Update Factor” window pop-upped, edit the data on the window.4. Click “OK” to confirm updating or “Cancel” to not save the data.
Delete Factor in The Situation1. Select the factor item in the factor list box that you want to delete2. In the factor section, click the “Delete factor.”
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3. Click “OK” to confirm deleting or “Cancel” to not delete*To control factors, make sure that you are on the correct situation record that you wantto work with
Create Expense in The Situation1. In the expense section, Click the “Add expense.”2. After “Insert Expense” window pop-upped, Insert the data to text boxes.3. Click “OK” to confirm the inserted data or “Cancel” to not save the data.
Update Expense in The Situation1. Select the expense item in the expense list box that you want to edit data2. In the expense section, click the “Update expense.”3. After “Update Expense” window pop-upped, edit the data on the window.4. Click “OK” to confirm updating or “Cancel” to not save the data.
Delete Expense in The Situation1. Select the expense item in the factor list box that you want to delete.2. In the expense section, click the “Delete expense.”3. Click “OK” to confirm deleting or “Cancel” to not delete.
*To control expense, make sure that you are on the correct situation record that you wantto work with
* After creating the situations and saving them on the database, make sure to check thereasonable answer and send the “base.mdb” to students
